The Finance Department today launched the statewide kick-off programme on “Sensitization of Voluntary Surrender of Pension Payment Order (PPO)” at the Assembly Annex Conference Hall to facilitate the voluntary surrender of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) by persons drawing Family Pension on the basis of fraudulent or invalid documents. The programme was attended by Chief Minister Mr. Lalduhoma, who also holds the Finance portfolio.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister urged all those receiving Family Pension under the Government of Mizoram through fraudulent or invalid documents to voluntarily surrender their Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) during the voluntary surrender window.
The Chief Minister said the Government is committed to ensuring that all pensioners receive their pension and family pension benefits in a smooth, timely and transparent manner. Considerable efforts have already been made to streamline the pension system. He noted that delays in pension processing are often caused by inadequate training of officials handling pension files in various offices. To address this, the Government is in the process of establishing a dedicated Training Wing to strengthen the capacity of officials dealing with pension matters. He also reaffirmed the Government’s deep respect for retired employees who devoted the prime years of their lives to the service of the State.
Expressing concern over the misuse of the Family Pension system, the Chief Minister said that while some individuals had deliberately used forged documents to obtain Family Pension, others might have done so unknowingly. He stressed that the Government is determined to put an end to such misuse of public funds.
As an initial measure, the Government has provided a three-month voluntary surrender window during which persons illegally drawing Family Pension are encouraged to surrender their PPOs. Those who do so within the stipulated period will not be required to refund the pension already received, as the Government will waive recovery of the amount.
After the voluntary surrender window closes, the Government’s Task Force will undertake comprehensive field verification of all Family Pension beneficiaries. Those found to have obtained Family Pension illegally will have their pension discontinued and will also face legal action.
The Chief Minister further stated that fraudulent Family Pension claims are often supported by forged documents. He warned that if documents such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Certificates, Non-Marriage Certificates, Life Certificates, Income Certificates, Ration Cards or any other documents submitted for Family Pension are found to be suspicious, the Government will conduct thorough investigations. Authorities responsible for issuing such documents have been urged to exercise utmost caution, and where necessary, legal action may also be initiated against them.
Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour, Mr. TBC Lalvenchhunga, Adviser to the Chief Minister (Finance & Planning), said that pension payments have become the largest component of the State Government’s revenue expenditure. While the Government is committed to extending pension benefits to all eligible beneficiaries, fraudulent claims made through forged documents cannot be tolerated, he said.
At present, 39,954 beneficiaries are receiving pension benefits under the Government of Mizoram. These include 22,139 Superannuation Pensioners, 11,194 Family Pension beneficiaries, 5,629 pensioners receiving pension through the Centralised Pension Processing Centre (CPPC), 594 Voluntary Retirement pensioners, 289 Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) pensioners, 69 Invalid Pension beneficiaries and 40 Compulsory Retirement pensioners.
