Baramulla :. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mohd Rafique Rather has expressed grave concern over the stoppage of December pensions and family pensions of retired employees in Jammu & Kashmir, terming it a cruel and unjust act that has pushed thousands of elderly and sick pensioners into distress during peak winter months.
Rafiqur Rather said that pension is the only source of livelihood for most senior citizens, and stopping it in sub-zero temperatures has left many families struggling for basic survival. He termed the move a direct violation of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which has clearly held that pension is a right, not a bounty or charity, and cannot be stopped arbitrarily.
Rather said pensioners have earned this right through decades of service to the state and society, yet today they are being forced to suffer humiliation, hunger and uncertainty. Reports of elderly pensioners being left without income, compelled to travel long distances, stand in queues and make repeated visits to banks are deeply disturbing and reflect a complete display of administrative insensitivity.
After stopping pensions, the administration is now forcing pensioners to physically visit J&K Bank branches, despite clear Government of India instructions permitting submission of Life Certificates through online and digital modes. Rather said this exposes a disturbing gap between tall claims of digital governance and the harsh ground reality.
He said it is deeply unfortunate that elderly pensioners and family pensioners, many of whom have already submitted their Life Certificates online well within the prescribed time, are still being harassed and denied pensions. This defeats the very purpose of digital governance and subjects frail, old and ailing citizens to unnecessary hardship, humiliation and financial distress.
Rather said it is ironic and shameful that those in power continue to enjoy hefty salaries, lavish perks, official cars and a luxurious lifestyle, while senior citizens who built institutions through a lifetime of service are made to beg for their rightful pensions. This contrast, he said, exposes the moral bankruptcy of the system and its utter disregard for the elderly.
He warned that this is not merely administrative apathy but a serious humanitarian issue. The continued insistence on physical verification despite online Life Certificate submission, and the unjustified delay in release of pensions, amount to harassment of senior citizens and gross injustice.
Rafique Rather urged Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha to personally intervene, ensure the immediate release of the December pension along with all pending pensions and family pensions, and issue strict directions to banks and concerned departments to honour Online Life Certificates without forcing elderly pensioners to visit bank branches.
Failure to act promptly, he warned, will only deepen public anger and further erode trust in governance.
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