Delhi, 2 July (H.S.): In a significant initiative to mitigate pension-related legal disputes and expedite justice for retired government employees, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh convened the first National Workshop on Pension Litigation at Vigyan Bhawan. He stressed that elder citizens, while retired from government service, remain committed to serving the nation and should not expend their energies on avoidable legal conflicts. With over 60 lakh pensioners, outnumbering current Central Government employees, challenges in pension administration necessitate urgent systemic reforms and institutional coordination.
Dr. Singh highlighted that many pension litigation issues stem from misinterpreted rules, noting that over 300 pension-related cases are currently pending, predominantly in Central Administrative Tribunals (CAT). Recognizing the systemic nature of the issue, he cautioned against dismissing pensioners' grievances and noted that often, disputes lead to appeals by both winning and losing parties, revealing deep-rooted dissatisfaction.
The workshop emphasized legal training for nodal officers, enhanced coordination with the Department of Legal Affairs, and the implementation of technology, such as AI-driven tools, to improve decision-making and case management. Nonetheless, Dr. Singh affirmed the irreplaceable value of human empathy and sensitivity in welfare-focused administration.
Additionally, he launched several initiatives aimed at improving awareness and grievance redressal mechanisms. The initiatives included a Compendium on Case Studies regarding Pension Litigation, a Flyer, and a Booklet detailing the previous Special Campaign on Family Pensioners’ Grievances. He also kicked off Special Campaign 2.0, aimed at addressing outstanding grievances of family pensioners and super seniors.
Joining virtually, Attorney General R. Venkataramani advocated for a structured national approach to pension litigation management with a target of achieving zero pension litigation by 2028 through proactive administrative measures and accountability. He proposed adopting mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation, emphasizing the need for timely processing of claims for armed forces personnel and the use of digital tools for better coordination.
Secretary V. Srinivas articulated the Workshop’s objectives, focusing on capacity-building for officers, streamlining processes, reducing disputes, and implementing recent reforms. He pointed to the necessity of efficient legal coordination and announced new initiatives, including consultations on unified pension rules and a national campaign on family pension awareness, to counteract avoidable litigation effectively.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
