THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Dec 31: The delay in paying pensions to over 200 pensioners of Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU), Daltonganj, has triggered serious concern and resentment among the beneficiaries.
Pensions for November have not yet been paid, and with December also coming to a close, dues for both months are now pending.
Questions over responsibility
The delay has raised questions over who is responsible for holding back the pension payments — the university administration, the Human Resource Department, or the Finance Department. Each stakeholder has its own explanation, while pensioners remain the worst affected.
The Human Resource Department, however, appears to be a distant onlooker in the entire episode.
Finance Department order cited
University authorities referred to a Finance Department order dated December 19, issued under the signature of Deputy Secretary Jyoti Kumar Jha. The order directed that salaries of all government employees be paid by December 23 in view of the Christmas festival.
The order, however, mentioned only salary payments and did not refer to pension disbursement. There is no provision for advance or festival-related payment of pension, unlike salaries.
Despite this, the university implemented the order strictly for salary payments and remained silent on pension disbursement.
Finance Minister takes up issue
This correspondent spoke to Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, who said he had met the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of state universities, and apprised him of the hardships faced by the pensioners.
“I informed the Governor about the financial conduct of Nilamber Pitamber University as well,” the minister said, adding that the Governor heard him patiently on the matter.
VC cites finance advisor’s approval
Vice Chancellor of Nilamber Pitamber University, Dr Prof Dinesh Kumar Singh, said that approval for payment of the November pension was in process.
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“The VC’s approval is ready. We are waiting for a nod from the Finance Advisor. Once that comes, the payment process will begin,” he said.
When reminded that pension payment is a routine administrative task — often cleared even by an in-charge VC — Dr Singh said he was inclined to approve it, but the Finance Department order had come in the way.
However, it was pointed out that the Finance Department order applied only to December salaries and had no connection with November pension dues. On this, the VC reiterated that the Finance Advisor’s clearance was awaited.
There is no precedent for a Finance Advisor issuing statements to the media. His version of the delay is therefore awaited, should he choose to speak.
The VC assured that the issue would be resolved in the coming days of January and that pension payments would be released soon.
Internal issues hinted
University sources indicated that the professional coordination and understanding between the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Advisor are not very smooth, which may have contributed to the delay.
