2-day defence pension adalat begins in Pune

Pune, June 21 (UNI) The two-day 81st defence pension adalat to redress grievances of pensioners from the Armed Forces began at the AFMC Dhanwantri Auditorium here today.

Inaugurating the Adalat, Southern Command GOC-in-C Lt General Aditya Singh said the process of streamlining the pension disbursements was on but may take a little time before that is achieved.

He said that in every district the Sainik Welfare Boards should become more active and, under the district collectors, hold small ''adalats'' to dispose issues speedily.

He urged senior members and pensioners to actively participate in the process by learning to work from a computer and use internet for the latest information.

Earlier, Pricipal Controller of Defence Accounts, Pensions, Allahabad, T P Mandal informed the gathering that the process of computerisation and automation was underway. ''Once all the record offices get computerised and internet facilites are available, there will be more sharing of information and cases will get settled quickly,'' he said.

There are a total of 22 lakh pensioners who get their pension through 35,000 bank branches. A total of 512 pension related cases have been registered for the ''adalat'', of which nearly 277 have already been settled.

The World War-II veteran, 107-year-old Khazan Singh Kohli, who recently got his revised pension, was also present and visibly excited, raising slogans like ''Jai Hind'', charming all present. He received a cheque of Rs 2.47 lakh as arrears under the revised pension.

Old pensioners, widows, family pensioners and some physically challenged persons had come for the ''adalat''. Senior officials, Defence Ministry Joint Secretary, AFMC Commandant and other senior defence officials were also present.

UNI