Summary of this article
17th Pension Adalat resolved 84 per cent of listed pension grievances
Tech reforms must be simple, sensitive, and reach last mile
DLC initiative and digital tools ease processes for pensioners
The 17th pension adalat concluded with 84 per cent redressal of pension matters. Of the total 897 grievances listed for redressal on the October 5 adalat, 756 cases (84.2 per cent) have been resolved on the spot. The redressal rate was significantly higher compared to the 16th pension adalat, in which nearly 74 per cent of grievances were redressed. The remaining unresolved cases of the 17th Adalat are being actively pursued and will be resolved in the coming days, as per the statement of the Personnel Ministry.
While speaking at the 17th Pension Adalat, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said that the pension administration should continuously learn from the difficulties faced by the pensioners and remove the issues present in the existing delivery system. He said that digital advances and technological interventions should not be made just to create more options, but these interventions should translate into simpler, more accessible, and user-friendly services for pensioners and their families.
He stressed that technological advancement is important, but it is not an end in itself. This advancement should create a mechanism for service delivery so that the beneficiaries (pensioner and their families) can experience and ultimately enjoy the benefits of reform. It is possible only when the processes and the system are easily accessible, and the reform reaches the last mile.
The minister noted that to modernise the pension administration, it is necessary to identify the operational gaps and work on structural improvement. He emphasised that technology should be utilised not only for routine service delivery but also for improving overall delivery administration.
Digital Tools And Awareness Drive
Singh pointed out that efforts are being made to simplify procedures through digital verification and face-recognition-based mechanisms, such as the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) initiative. He outlined the importance of dedicated DLC campaigns and awareness programmes to ensure that pensioners can receive their life certificate without hassle.
He further stressed the need to continuously inform pensioners about these digital facilities so that pensioners can utilise the available services. However, he emphasised that technological tools must always be used with sensitivity towards the needs of the pensioners or of their family members. In short, the technological reforms must be centred on resolving the practical challenges and making life easier.
The outcome of the 17th edition shows improvement in redressal rate. To put it in perspective, the overall resolution rate stood at 71.70 per cent over the last 16 editions of Pension Adalats.
