PLIGHT OF THE WIDOWS OF ARMED FORCES
Widows of the Armed Forces are the silent sufferers and victims of untold miseries for avoidable reasons. Apart from the loss of their husbands, they are almost alienated from their family. Their source of solace is that of monthly pension without which many of them would have been left unattended and uncared for. There is a case of man made woundis inflicted upon the innocent ladies , thereby they become victims of administrative procedural laps for which no one is made accountable and answerable .
Our Chief liaison officer Sgt.S.Kanthiah (Retd) visited Indian Overses Bank, Kalakad branch, Tirunelveli-District and observed the following:.
One Smt.Helen Rajah w/o Late Lt. Rajah Isreal is the wife of a Commissioned Officer (Navy), being paid the pension of Rs.3500/-as a basic pension which is the minimum pension of a Sepoy. Her date of birth is 13-03-1925, hence she has completed 85 years of age and eligible for an additional pension of 30% also. She is being paid a total pension of Rs.4555/ ( 3500+945+100)only.
The PPO No. M / 1230 /72. The Prefix 'M' is the clear indication of an Officer pension. The same was explained to the Bank officials but they were Unaware of this but agreed to accept the advice from us. When we calculated the arrears from 1-1-96 to 31-10-2009, it is more than 5 lacs.
Our Liaison Officer with the sole of aim of helping the Lady, went in search of the Residence and at last he found the place but to his surprise the door was locked. On enquiry it was told that she was staying with her children at Kodaikanal and EXPIRED recently some 5 to 6 months back. We do not understand how this short payment has escaped the EYEs of RBI and AG's' Office Inspectors un noticed for such a long period of more than 12 years.
At last not the least here a question arises as to who should be accountable and held responsible for this episode. The poor lady Breathed her last without getting the legitimate entitlement of her full pension
1 comment:
Weldon sir.It is a good and pathetic news to read. Thank you for bringing such truth to light. God alone knows how many such cases are there through out the country. We understand from this news that there is no mechanism to verify and check the correctness .May the readers feel bad of such happenings.
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