'To get rid of the agent mafia, we are simplifying the process of receiving the pension.' PHOTO: FILE
HYDERABAD: A large number of elderly pensioners have to go through several ordeals if they want to continuously receive their monthly pension. The Sindh Accountant General Ghufran Memon, while admitting that the menace of the 'agent mafia', is exploiting the pensioners, said that the provincial government has initiated reforms to address the problem.
Speaking to the media at the inauguration of Sindh Pension Centre in Matiari district on Monday, Memon said that the centres are being opened in all districts of Sindh to ensure hassle-free monthly release of pensions. "To get rid of the agent mafia, we are simplifying the process of receiving the pension."
Governor inaugurates Sindh Pension Centre
According to him, the centres are being opened in district treasury offices in the whole province. So far, the centres have started functioning in Karachi, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad Khan districts. Memon said that over the next week four new centres will become functional in as many districts. "The centres will resolve issues delaying release of the pension of a retired person in 45 to 60 minutes," he claimed.
There are around 240,000 pensioners of the provincial government in Sindh and among them the pension accounts of some 150,000 have been transferred to the online system. Memon expressed hope that the online accounts of another 75,000 pensions would be opened by June, 2019. "As the Sindh AG, I wish that a pensioner gets the pay cheque a day after their retirement."
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2019.
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