Lackadaisical attitude of authorities in pension matters irks court
16.10.2010 | 13:16
Chandigarh
Lalit Kumar
The Punjab and Haryana High Court found that there was complete lack of coordination between the authorities of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (pension), in umpteen number of cases. The irresponsible attitude of the authorities has become constant cause of immense hardship to the family member of the deceased employees, who are left in lurch without any source of livelihood.
Justice Surya Kant has now warned the responsible parties with contempt, if they fail to release the benefits in all pending cases by November 30. The directions, applicable to both Punjab and Haryana, came on a petition filed by Balbir Kaur of Sangrur district against inaction on part of the FCI and the provident fund commissioner in releasing the dues. The Bench directed release of pension arrears, along with 18 per cent per annum interest and ordered the release of Rs 25,000 as costs to her.
The Judge observed, “In few cases, the pension and other due benefits have been released only under the coercive command of the court. In order to obviate the hardships and minimise the sufferings of all such dependent family members, this court is constrained to direct the Regional Provident Commissioner (pension), as well as the general managers and senior regional managers of Haryana and Punjab regions of the FCI to prepare a list of all pending claim cases; depute their officials to complete the records, handover and exchange the documents personally and ensure the release of pension and other retirement benefits/dues by November 30, failing which this court shall direct criminal prosecution of the officers/officials found prima facie guilty of criminal negligence, besides suo motu contempt of court.
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