Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Guwahati: The Assam government has established a new penalty system to hold officials accountable for delays in processing retirement benefits. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that retired employees have contributed significantly to the state and deserve to receive their pensions with respect and dignity.
Under the new directive from the Administrative Reforms Training Pension and Public Grievances Department, officials will face a financial penalty of Rs 250 per day for missing official deadlines. These deductions will be capped at Rs 5,000 per case and processed automatically through the state's FinAssam portal. Drawing and Disbursing Officers are responsible for executing these recoveries directly from the salaries of the officials at fault.
To maintain transparency, the government will use the Kritagyata portal to track delayed cases. Monthly reports will be shared with senior officials and District Commissioners to ensure oversight. This policy reinforces standing instructions from 2003, which mandate that pension paperwork should begin two years before an employee retires and be submitted for final approval at least six months before the date of superannuation.
By implementing these fiscal consequences, the state aims to eliminate the administrative lapses that often cause financial hardship for pensioners. The new rules take effect immediately, strengthening existing requirements for timely government service delivery.
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