June 4, New Delhi: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's more comprehensive governance model, which puts the citizen at the center, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for a time-bound redressal mechanism of pension-related grievances.
In his speech at the 13th All India "Pension Adalat" in New Delhi, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of administrative efficiency and sensitivity in protecting the dignity of India's aging population.
The Minister claimed that the Pension Adalat model is among the most citizen-friendly changes implemented in recent years at the daylong gathering that drew together department heads, government representatives, and pensioners from all around the nation. He urged departments to take a "whole-of-government" approach to addressing such issues, saying that a pensioner who has served the country for a lifetime should not have to run from pillar to post for what is properly theirs. He underlined that redressal need to be proactive as well as reactive, backed by technology and motivated by empathy.

Twelve Pension Adalats have been conducted nationwide since their launch in September 2017, addressing a total of 25,416 cases, 18,157 of which have been successfully settled. As evidence of the initiative's success, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to the resolution rate of over 71 percent.
The Minister recounted a number of successful cases from past Adalats, such as Anita Kanik Rani, who was given Rs. 20 lakh in family pension arrears on the day her petition was heard, and Jasoda Devi, who finally collected her due after 36 years. He pointed out that the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) currently publishes flyers that document many of these stories.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also unveiled "Brave Soldiers and Veer Naariyan," a collection of success stories from the 12th Pension Adalat, at the 13th All India Pension Adalat. With an emphasis on defense pensioners and the families of members of the military forces, the brochure features heartwarming testimonies of long-standing pension problems that were settled through the Adalat process. By guaranteeing prompt justice and respect in their post-retirement lives, these true stories demonstrate the government's dedication to honoring the service and sacrifice of its retirees, especially women and veer naaris.
The Adalat this year addressed family pension concerns, many of which were brought up by women who were either recipients or claimants. Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the DoPPW for selecting a theme that recognizes the urgent issues facing a sizable and frequently vulnerable group of retirees.
Additionally, they promoted the use of digital channels to connect with retirees who might not be able to attend in person. "The administration has promised that no voice will be ignored, and these Adalats are more than just a forum for resolving grievances," he stated.
Additionally, they promoted the use of digital channels to connect with retirees who might not be able to attend in person. "The administration has promised that no voice will be ignored, and these Adalats are more than just a forum for resolving grievances," he stated. For real-time tracking and resolution, the Minister also reaffirmed the need of utilizing digital initiatives such as CPENGRAMS (Centralised Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System).
In addition to treating retirees as beneficiaries, Dr. Jitendra Singh advised departments and officials to treat them as "valued members of the administrative family." He urged more interdepartmental collaboration and responsibility, pointing out that the majority of complaints are the result of preventable delays or procedural problems. According to the Minister, the Adalat serves as a gauge of administrative effectiveness in addition to being a platform for complaints. "Trust in governance is increased when citizens feel heard and valued," he said.
Pension Adalats, which are now a regular occurrence on the calendar, have become an essential means of communication between the government and retired individuals, including family pensioners, central government officials, and defense people. The Minister also acknowledged the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare's contribution to the institutionalization of innovations such grievance dashboards, integrated portals, and simpler PPOs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh urged more compassionate and citizen-centric innovations in pension administration, stating that the government's obligation to its older citizens must be met with compassion and urgency. "If the nation's elderly and retirees do not feel safe and appreciated, the Prime Minister's vision for governance will fall short."