SCPC: Pension Arrears- Delay caused by all the Public Sector Banks

29 Jun 09.
Dear Friends,
I have been receiving very large number of similar complaints from officers. I met a few PBOR in last one month, who had the same complaint. Collecting data of PBOR by "Report My Signal" (RMS) is very difficult, because they are not available directly on email, we can get it through the Ex PBOR organisations."Sample Data" of officers can be directly connected by RMS. Data so collected can be sent to Ex Servicemen Department of MoD. We can list say about 200 or more names of ESM with their bank details and PAOR details, which will cover probably names of all banks and PAOR, who are authorised to disburse pension.

We should also collect data of PBOR through Col Bhardwaj and others who have ground contact with PBOR. If approved by the Steering Committee, Admiral Ghose or Gen Surjit or both be requested to look into the problem.

For collection of sample data RMS is at your service. Gen Renjen may kindly initiate an email as to what data is required. That email will be sent to all members of RMS email service and will also be placed on the net by all the websites, including RMS website and IESM website.

I request early action on this issue as I find much unrest among the ESM on this issues. Some of the emails have even stated - " ... please help us in getting what has already been sanctioned by the Government ..... "
Regards to all,
Chander Kamboj

Sample Appeals
Dear all,
I have tried all but to no avail. I have met the Branch Manager on innumerable occasions. I have sent online complaints to SBI and to PCDA all to no avail. The problem with SBI is that they have centralised the issue of pension to one branch in the state HQ's and they are overloaded and do not respond to telephones. Canara Bank dealing officers in Bangalore blame it on their computer section to who we have no access.
My father in law aged 89 and mother aged 84 are fed up with making their rounds to the bank and have given up trying to get the additional pension for old age.
In my case (post 2006) PCDA has finally relented and issued the corrigendum to PPO, and my bank ICICI has obliged me by overpaying me by giving me the new pension but deducting the old commuted amount and not the new 50% thereby overpaying to the tune of 1.5 lakhs for the moment!!!
Regards,
Col Deepak Gopinath

Dear Sir
I am afraid you will have to take up with the Branch manager and follow up with their headquarters. This is what i said after the Kolhapur visit. The banks are taking us for a ride and centrally we need to take this up on a war footing. Just imagine the money the banks make with everyday delay.
Regards,
R W Pathak

Dear Sirs,
Canara Bank Bangalore and State Bank of India Coimbatore have not paid the PB-4 scales with pay for Jun. Nor have they paid the additional amount for aged over 80 years.
Regards,
Col Deepak Gopinath

Date: Monday, 29 June, 2009, 1:58 PM
This is one amongst at least over 50 similar complaints from ESM that I have read over time. Only officers!!!
It is a very serious problem and needs our immediate attention. The decision of the GoI not to issue fresh PPOs and make do with instructions alone to the Secy Banking etc, has caused an enormous confusion amongst the PDAs (banks) in pension disbursal. They are genuinely flummoxed. Too many different instructions, lack of understanding of the system and pressure of work on the banks!
An equally disturbing complaint has been of the aged veterans of 80 and more. They are not getting enhanced pensions as their ages are not reflected on their PPOs. Most would die without getting any benefit.
Problems of PBOR & widows are far worse.
A letter from Gen Kadyan in the least to RM, MoS (Defence), Secy ESW would be in order.
Best regards,
Maj Gen (Retd) PK Renjen, AVSM

My experience with IOB Chennai
Indian Overseas Bank is a shade ahead of other Public Sector Banks for crediting Sixth Central Pay Commission Arrears. Though some coaxing and effort was involved, I have been able to get all my arrears including Lt Col PB4 arrears calculated by IOB Head Office and then credited by the Branch Office. The software is excellent but basic inputs need to be correctly fed in. This is where personal liaison is required as the clerical staff dealing with Defence Pensions are clueless about age, and whether Selection Grade or Time Scale. One needs to hand over photo copy proof from our own records. Otherwise the staff do not take any initiative if they do not have the basic input data or if some doubts arise they keep the the whole issue pending. This is the bane of bureaucracy!
Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)