Question : DISBURSEMENT OF PENSION TO EX -SERVICEMEN

(a) whether the Union Government is aware that the Government of West Bengal has discontinued disbursing pension to ex-servicemen from the Government Treasuries and that ex-servicemen particularly in North Bengal area have not received their pensions for the last four to five months;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor and the remedial steps taken in this regard;

(c) whether the current procedure of disbursing pension has resulted in abnormal delay and extreme hardship to the ex-servicemen; and

(d) if so, the steps taken to resolve this issue promptly?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (SHRI M.M. PALLAM RAJU)

(a) & (b): Directorate of Treasuries, Government of West Bengal has intimated that Government of West Bengal has not discontinued disbursement of pension to ex-servicemen from the Government Treasuries. No complaint from any pensioner from North Bengal area regarding non-receipt of pension for the last 4-5 months has been received.

(c) & (d): The current procedure for disbursement of pension to Defence pensioners provides for crediting the amount of monthly pension on last working day of the month. Any grievances in pension matters are addressed expeditiously.