ANOMALY IN DISBURSEMENT OF FAMILY PENSION

Our Chief Liaison Officer Sgt.S,Kanthiah (Retd( visited Indian Overseas Bank, Kalakad Branch, Tirunelvlei -Dist, Tamil Nadu on 30-10-2009 in connection with the revision of pension as per VI th Pay commission. During the scrutiny of the PPOs, he noticed that one family pensioner SMT.HELEN RAJAH W/o Late Lt. Rajah Israel ( Navy Officer) was being paid a basic pension of Rs.3500/- which is minimum pension for the rank of a Sepoy. Further , he observed her date of Birth as 13-3-1925, hence she is eligible for an additional pension of 20% also. THE PPO.NO.is M / 1230/ 72 which is the indication that she is wife of an Officer. Our liaison officer informed the same to the Branch officials and appraised them, which they are not aware. She is supposed to get a basic pension of Rs.8100/- w.e.f 1-1-2006.



After completing the works, our Liaison officer went in search of the residence of the Lady which was about 5 kilometers from the branch. Lastly he could locate the house, but to his surprise it was locked. He made an inquiry in the nearby houses. The neighbour informed him that she was staying with her son at KODAIKANAL for the last 2 to 3 years and expired recently about 5 months back.



What a pity situation. Had her pension been revised correctly as 8100 and an Addition pension of 20% effected, she should have received an amount of Rs. 309580/-as arrears. Not only this, her pension was to be revised from 1-1-96 also. Poor lady could not enjoy the fruit of this large amount of about 5 Lacs plus in her life time and left the world. This is the fate. Now who is responsible for this happenings whether Bank / Auditors or CDA . Now where to go and knock the door.



In this particular case, even after 10 years , ( V th Pay commision ), how this case has escaped the EYEs of the AG's Office Auditors and RBI inspectors. The prefix 'M" in the PPO is the clear Indication that the widow is wife of an Officer.We fail to understand , why the Basic norm is not known to the Auditors/RBI/Banks



Our Trust feels such happenings are there through out the country , and it should be brought to the light of our Ex-servicemen community through medias so that they are aware of their own entitled pension.