Information Commission upset over pension delay

Rajasthan depts. acted only after the State panel intervened

The Rajasthan Information Commission has expressed displeasure over the failure of government departments to provide information about the release of pension to the heirs of deceased employees. The departments acted in two such cases only after the Commission intervened and issued notices. Information Commissioner Narayan Bareth said the pension given to an employee was a mark of respect for the services rendered by him. In the event of death of a retired employee, his dependants should not be harassed in getting their entitlement, he said. The widows of two government employees had moved the Commission following the refusal of the departments to part with the information about the action taken to release pension to them. Mr. Bareth said it was “most unfortunate” that the widows were forced to approach the Information Commission for getting their right.