Pensions to be paid through bank accounts by March next year: Dar
ISLAMABAD: The federal government decided on Friday that by March next year all pensioners of BPS-17 and above would be paid monthly pension through their bank accounts.
In the second phase of the initiative, the same facility would be extended to pensioners of BPS-1 to 16.
The decision was taken by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar during a meeting with Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Rana Asad Amin.
The government will also introduce a two-page pension application form in place of the current cumbersome 16-page form.
Also read: 600,000 ‘ghost pensioners’ drew pension, panel told
It was decided that all existing pensioners would be shifted to the direct credit system (DCS) and they would receive their monthly pension directly in their bank accounts.
The issue of ghost pensioners had prompted the finance minister to ask the AGP to review the entire pension system and recommend steps to end malpractices in it and to end grievances of the pensioners.
The issue had come up at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue when top officials of the National Bank of Pakistan informed the committee that more than 600,000 ghost pensioners had been drawing pension from the bank.
An announcement of the ministry said that a Full System Integration would be developed between the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) and offices of the AGP in the country to facilitate pension payments and to keep a proper record of all pensioners.
The minister observed that ministries and departments of the federal government must have a designated welfare officer to look after affairs of pensioners to help them in every possible manner.
He also ordered that all banks must set up counters for pensioners’ facilitation and initiate the process to bring pensioners’ accounts in line with the DCS system.
The meeting also decided that the AGP office would send quarterly reports to principal accounting officers and heads of departments, conveying names of officials retiring from service. This would help them manage pension matters in an effective manner.
Mr Dar appreciated recommendations of the AGP and ordered their fast-track implementation. He said the ministry of finance would extend complete cooperation in this regard.
He pledged that the government would put an end to difficulties of pensioners and take steps to ensure their respect and dignity after retirement.
Published in Dawn, October 17th , 2015
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