Srinagar, Oct 22: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Srinagar has directed the J&K Government’s Department of Law and Justice to ensure that responses in pension-related cases are filed promptly, observing that senior citizens and pensioners deserve a sympathetic and respectful approach.
A bench of Judicial Member M S Latif issued the direction while hearing an aggrieved retired government employee Abdul Majeed Sheikh’s plea, seeking release of his pension and allied benefits.
The Tribunal noted that despite notice, the authorities failed to file their reply, resulting in delay in disposal of the matter.
“I deem it proper to sensitize the Department of Law and Justice, U.T of J&K, that, at least, in the matters pertaining to release of pension, every endeavor should be made to file the response promptly so that such cases are not made to linger on for want of timely response,” the tribunal said.
It directed the J&K ‘s Commissioner Secretary Department of Law and Justice to issue guidelines to all the respective Departments for filing of response or objections in a time bound manner, more particularly, in the matters relating to release of pension and other allied benefits.
“The pensioners deserve a soft gloves attitude, who, otherwise, are senior citizens and shall be dealt with sympathy and due respect.”
The Tribunal directed the government to file the response in the matter before the next date of hearing on December 2.
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