In a govt circular issued under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982, on Thursday, the finance department acknowledged that these unnecessary demands, despite having no basis in the pension rules, were causing delays in forwarding complete retirement proposals to the accountant general within the stipulated timeframe. Consequently, pension benefits were often disbursed late, impacting the livelihood of retirees who rely solely on pension income.

“Appendix 5 (Form 7) under the pension rules already requires the head of office to certify whether any govt dues are pending or if departmental or judicial proceedings are on against the employee,” an official said, citing the circular

The official said offices were, however, routinely seeking additional certificates from all previous postings, a process that often tock months and stalled pension cases.Citing reforms Introduced through an earller govt decision on final pay certificate procedures, the circular clarifies. “Strict adherence to the revised system makes it unnecessary to separately call for no-departmental inquiry or no-dues certificates” All required information, the circuler stated, was either deemed available within the current office or could be assumed under existing rules if not received within prescribed timelines.

Regarding govt accommodation, the circular stated that if recovery details of outstanding licence fees was not received from the public works department before a specified date, it would be presumed that no dues were pending for the eight months preceding retirement. “Pension cases should not be delayed on this account. If a retired employee, however, continue to occupy govt quarters post-retirement, gratuity must be withheld as per existing finance department orders,” it stated

“The govt has further clarified that recoveries related to house-building advances, vehicle advances, festival advances. computer advances and travel advances were recorded in service books and recovered through salary, making external verification unnecessary. Similarly, details of salary arrears, leave encashment and income tax deductions were available with the salary drawing office, eliminating the need for no dues confirmations from previous offices,” the official said.

On departmental or judicial proceedings, the circular mandates that if any Inquiry are initiated against an employee, the office concerned must inform the employee’s current office within three months of initiation. “If the employee is clue to retire within six months, such information must be communicated within one week. Failure to report pending proceedings within the stipulated period will lead to the presumption that no such action is pending” the official said, citing the circular

Govt has warned that delays in pension proposals clue to non-reporting of inquiries within the prescribed time would attract disciplinary action against the responsible department or office head.