Srinagar, Apr 30: A revised order by the state’s Finance Department regarding release of 6th Pay Commission arrears to the pensioners is likely to stir a controversy with the employees accusing state government of backtracking from its commitment made last year. The fresh order makes no mention regarding payment of arrears to the pensioners who fall in the age group of 59 to 70 years.
The order no. 123-F of 2011 issued by the Finance Department on April 25, 2011 mentions that the pensioners of the age of 90 years and above would get 50 percent of total arrears in one instalment while those between 80 and 90 years would get the arrears in two instalments. It goes on to add that the pensioners between 75 to 80 years of age would get the arrears in three instalments while the pensioners falling in the age group of 70 to 75 years would be entitled to arrears in four instalments.
What has drawn criticism from the pensioners and the employees’ unions is that the state government has allegedly failed to keep its word of giving effect to the order from the beginning of this financial year particularly in case of pensioners and more importantly the order is silent about the payment of arrears to the pensioners falling in the age group of 59 to 70 years.
“Government is treating the former employees as spent force. A pensioner will have to pray for a long life to avail the benefits of the 6th Pay Commission,” said chairman Employees Joint Action Committee, Khursheed Alam. “The government is depriving the pensioners of their due rights.”
Following the employees’ agitation last year, the state cabinet had approved release of 50 percent arrears on account of the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations with effect from January 2006. The government had announced that the process of payment of arrears would begin in April 2011. It had formulated a roadmap for release of the 50 percent of the arrears while in case of another 50 percent arrears, the government had made it clear that the same would be released as and when the funds are made available by the government of India for the purpose.
In case of pensioners, they were grouped into different categories as per their age for release of arrears.
“For a pensioner whose age is 80 or above, the arrears would be released in three instalments. The instalments will four, five and six respectively for the pensioners belonging to the age group of 70 years to 80 years, 65 years to 70 years and 58 years to 65 years,” the government order issued on January 18, 2001 had said.
However the latest Finance Department order issued on April 25 makes no mention of the pensioners who fall in the age group of 59 to 70 years.
The pensioners complain that though the process for the release of the arrears was started earlier, it was stopped soon following a government order seeking clarification on the revised gratuity and commutation payment of pensioners. “It was done only to delay the payments of arrears to the pensioners,” they said.

THE LETTER
“Pursuant to Government Order No. 08/F of 2011 Dated 18-01-2011, fifty percent of payment of arrears on account of residual gratuity and commutation is to be released in favour of the pensioners retired between 01-01-2006 to 03-06-2009. Gratuity and commutation authorities on the revised rates have already been issued by your office some one year back.
However, doubts have been expressed by some of the Treasury Officers regarding regulation of these payments,” states the letter no. JDATK / Adm/247-72 addressed by the Joint Director, Accounts and Treasuries to the Principal Accountant General, J&K on April 4, 2011.
The letter reads it may be clarified whether the treasury officers are required to make 50% payment on the basis of the authorities already issued by AG’s office or shall they return the authorities for revalidation.
It adds that as per the government order only 50% payment is to be made while as the authorities issued by AG’s office are for 100% release of arrears. “The commutation authorities have been issued by your office on the basis of revised rates and recovery thereon on the basis of full value of revised commutation. Now that when only 50% payment is to be made on this account, this needs clarification whether the commutation value is to be deducted @ 50% (which is actual payment to be made) or 100%. In this regard also the commutation authorities may require revision at your level,” the letter states.
The pensioners say if the clarification was so necessary, why it was sought in the same month when the arrears were to be released and not earlier as the AG’s office had issued authorities for payment of arrears one year back as stated in the Joint Director, Accounts and Treasuries Department communication.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 May 2011 00:00:00 IST