DEFENCE PENSION ADALATS

Set up in 1987, the Defence Pension Adalat looks into the grievances of the ex-servicemen and their families for on-the-spot or expeditious settlement. The 87th Pension Adalat was organized at Guwahati by PCDA (P), Allahabad on 23rd and 24th May, 2008 in the Rhino Hall of Narangi Military station, Guwahati. Shri M M Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Minister of State for Defence was the Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony. The inaugural function was also graced by the guest of Honour Smt H K Pannu, IDAS, the then FA (Defence Services). The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA, Lt Gen K R Rao, AVSM, VSM, DG MP, Army HQrs, Shri D S Meena, IDAS, PCDA (P), Allahabad, Major Gen K G Chatterjee, VSM, DGR, Major General K S Sethi, GOC 101, Major General S P Kochhar, SM, VSM Ahqr, Shri J Lhungdim, IDAS, CDA Guwahati, Shri G D Pungle, IDAS, CDA(P), Allahabaad, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IDAS, Jt. CGDA (AN), Shri Z V S Prasad, IDAS, OSD to RRM et al.

The Adalat started with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest. Welcoming the Chief Guest and other dignitaries and pensioners, Shri D S Meena, IDAS, PCDA (P), Allahabad gave a brief overview of the pension structure and assured that the pension related grievances of all the pensioners attending the adalat would be settled. Speaking on the occasion, the CGDA thanked the Hon’ble RRM for coming all the way to Guwahati and spending his valuable time for inaugurating the 87th Pension Adalat. She also affirmed the resolve of the DAD towards providing professional and quality services to its valued customers in the Defence Services. The then FA (DS), Smt H K Pannu highlighted certain measures for mitigating the hardship of the pensioners and urged the public sector banks to be more proactive and responsive towards the pensioners.

During his inaugural speech the Chief Guest expressed his satisfaction over the role of DAD in reaching the doorsteps of the pensioners and hoped that in the near future the Sainik Welfare Board and the Public Sector Banks will actively co-operate with the concerned agencies for resolving the problems of the Gaurav Senanis and Veer Naris. The inaugural ceremony ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr G D Pungle, CDA (Pension), Allahabad.On the conclusion of the inaugural ceremony, the Hon’ble RRM was interviewed by a cross section of the press. This was followed by a tea session where the Chief Guest interacted with the ex-servicemen and other senior officials from the service HQrs and other authorities.

The business of the Adalat was conducted through four adalat benches which comprised pension experts from PCDA (P), MoD, CGDA, Army HQrs, Air Force, Navy and BOS. A total of 461 cases were received for this Adalat out of which 157 cases were settled and the remaining 304 cases are under process of settlement.

· The 88th Defence Pension Adalat was organized at Raipur, (Chhattisgarh) on 28th and 29th July, 2008 in the Collectorate, Sabha Griha. Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl. CGDA (AT) was the Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony. She thanked the Government of Chhattisgarh for giving full support to PCDA (P), Allahabad in organizing the pension adalat in absence of any Army Formation at Raipur. A total of 270 cases were received out of which 105 cases were settled on the conclusion of the adalat. Out of the remaining 165 cases, 127 cases were settled subsequently leaving a balance of 38 cases, for expeditious settlement.
· A defence pension adalat was organized at Ferozepur (Punjab) on 18th and 19th December, 2008. It was inaugurated by Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl. CGDA. A total of 346 cases were received and 150 of them were settled on the spot. The remaining 196 cases were under process for expeditious settlement.
· The 89th Defence Pension Adalat was held at Coimbatore on 27th and 28th November, 2008. On this occasion a booklet titled “Pensioners’ Guide” for benefit of defence pensioners/defence family pensioners was also released. The booklet provides all information on defence pension at one place and also has a “FAQ” section which will aid the pensioners in addressing their queries.