Budgam, October 28: Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee and the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Association, Dar Ajaz, has appealed to all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) across Jammu and Kashmir to refrain from creating unnecessary hurdles in the processing of files of employees seeking benefits under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and to facilitate the forwarding of their cases to the competent authorities in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Dar Ajaz said that employees whose recruitment notifications or advertisements were issued before November and December 2009 should be given a fair opportunity to submit their cases under the relevant government order. He stressed that employees should not face unnecessary departmental difficulties while seeking their legitimate rights.
He clarified that DDOs are responsible for receiving the relevant documents and files of employees and forwarding them to higher authorities for necessary action. According to him, the final decision regarding an employee’s eligibility for the Old Pension Scheme rests with the competent authorities, particularly the Finance Department, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
Dar Ajaz said that, according to reports, some employees, particularly teachers whose recruitment advertisements were issued before the introduction of the New Pension Scheme, are facing difficulties in submitting their files. He urged all concerned officers to avoid unnecessary delays and irrelevant objections in receiving and forwarding such cases.
He appreciated the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee Chairman Shah Faiz, stating that he had raised the issue with senior officials at the Secretariat. Dar Ajaz said the chairman had been informed that no instructions had been issued directing DDOs to refuse the receipt of files from eligible employees.
Dar Ajaz said government employees dedicate several valuable years of their lives to public service, and therefore, matters concerning their pensions and financial security after retirement must be handled with seriousness, transparency and fairness.
He appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Finance Department to ensure uniform implementation of the relevant government order and issue the necessary clarification to remove any confusion at the departmental level.
Concluding his statement, Dar Ajaz expressed hope that all concerned officers would address employees’ concerns sympathetically, forward their files to the competent authorities and ensure that eligibility for the Old Pension Scheme is determined strictly in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.