Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 22
The Central Administrative Tribunal in Srinagar has directed Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Law and Justice to ensure timely responses in pension-related cases, saying delays can prolong hardship for retired government employees.
Judicial Member M S Latif issued the direction while hearing a petition by retired government employee Abdul Majeed Sheikh seeking payment of pension and related benefits.
The tribunal noted that the authorities had failed to file a reply despite being served notice, delaying the proceedings.
It said departments should make every effort to respond promptly in cases concerning pension payments so that such matters did not remain pending because of administrative inaction.
The tribunal directed the union territory’s commissioner secretary for law and justice to issue guidelines requiring departments to file responses and objections within specified timelines, particularly in cases involving pensions and related benefits.
“The pensioners deserve a soft-glove attitude, who, otherwise, are senior citizens and shall be dealt with sympathy and due respect,” the tribunal said.
It directed the government to submit its response in Sheikh’s case before the next hearing, scheduled for December 2.
The order did not specify whether the outstanding pension benefits had been released.
