NEW DELHI: A deputation of Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj (BPS) met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh at his North Block Office here on Wednesday and handed over a cheque as a contribution from their pension savings for the victims of Nepal earthquake.
Appreciating the gesture, Dr Jitendra Singh said, even though relief, both in coin and kind, is arriving in huge measure from different quarters, but the contribution made by our elder superannuated citizens from their pension amount, carries a special and also symbolic significance because on the one hand, it reflects their commitment and concern for human causes and on the other hand, the contribution made by them is a ‘Vardaan’ or blessing for all of us who are engaged in offering assistance to a neighbouring country in distress.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, as Minister In-charge of Personnel and Training as well as Pensions, it gives him immense satisfaction to declare that the present government recently came out with a ‘Pension Portal’ based on Adhaar Card biometrics which would eliminate the requirement for an elderly citizen to furnish a certificate stating that he is alive. He said, he personally always felt guilty that in a democratic society like ours, an elder citizen was required to prove that he is still alive and therefore, the introduction of the new portal is in fact also a personal vindication for him.
Secretary General of Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj, S.C Maheshwari said that as senior citizens, they have been witness to the evolution of the history of Indian subcontinent and therefore for them, Nepal is not merely a neighbouring country but in fact, a country which lives in their hearts and whose people are like their brothers and siblings.
Maheshwari appreciated Jitendra’s positive and accessible approach which has generated lot of enthusiasm and encouragement among thousands of retired officials across the country who earlier had certain grievances with the administration.
Besides Maheshwari, Secretary General, R.N Tripathi, Vice-President, K.L Malhotra, Secretary and M.M Kapoor, Editor, Monthly Publication of Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj were also part of the deputation.