CNIC of deceased employees for funeral grant is unnecessary:Ombudsman Punjab

Lahore: Calling for Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) of the deceased government employee for funeral grant from Benevolent Fund Board is quiet unnecessary and irrelevant, declares Ombudsman Punjab Javed Mahmood.

Concerned department knows well that NADRA cannot issue CNIC to a deceased citizen so such requirement tantamount to denial of legitimate right of the widow and children of the deceased government employee, says the Ombudsman Punjab.

He has directed Benevolent Fund Board to clear hundreds of case of funeral grant as early as possible and not to stop payments to the families of pensioners in future on account of non availability of CNIC of deceased employees.

Incahrge Mohtasib Punjab Pension Cell, Wazir Ahmad Qureshi, in the light of Ombudsman Punjab’s orders, directed DCO Gujranwala /Chairman District Benevolent Fund Board to finalize 54 cases of funeral grant pending payment during khuli kuchery at Gujranwala.

He intimated DCO Gujranwala at phone about uncalled for requirement, who consented to finalize the cases of funeral grant held up to want of CNIC of the deceased family members, being not covered under the rules not only contained in the list of 54 but also those submitted in future.

Wazir Ahamd Qureshi called upon the authorities to be merciful towards pensioners and their families and refrain from creating complications and obstacles in their payment cases.

Mr. Qureshi directed Pension Sanctioning Authorities to extend cooperation to “Mohtasib Punjab Pension Cell” for speedy redressal of grievances of the pensioners. He has also warned the Pension Sanctioning Authorities to refrain from flouting the Presidential Orders, Judgments of Supreme Court and Pension Rules of the Punjab Government and award the pensionary benefits to retiring employees without delay.

Pensioners, denied to pay their litigate financial benefits or waiting for the cases still pending with any government agency should feel free to approach to the Office of Ombudsman at concerned district, advised Incharge Mohtasib Punjab Pension Cell, Wazir Ahmaf Qureshi.