Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, chaired a high-level review meeting with pension-disbursing banks today to expedite the 100% registration of state pensioners on the Pensioner Sewa Portal, and issued specific deadlines tailored to each bank's caseload. The Finance Minister emphasized that this digital transition is a top priority for the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government to ensure that the elderly population can access essential services from the comfort of their homes without the need for physical visits to government offices.
During the extensive progress review, Finance Minister noted that 1,11,233 pensioners have already successfully completed their e-KYC since the portal’s launch and the subsequent district-level 'Sewa Melas,' the pace must be accelerated to ensure no one is left behind. He directed bank officials to take a proactive role in assisting retirees, specifically instructing branch managers to provide dedicated support to elderly citizens who may struggle with the digital interface. The Minister warned that any negligence or technical bottleneck at the bank level that hinders this registration process would be met with strict accountability measures.
Addressing concerns regarding potential service disruptions, Finance Minister Cheema reassured that pension disbursements will continue without any interruption during this mandatory registration phase. The Minister concluded the meeting by urging all stakeholders to work in a mission-mode spirit to transform Punjab into a leader for digital welfare services, ensuring that the transition for the state's 3.15 lakh pensioners is seamless, dignified, and efficient.
Prominent amongst others Additional Chief Secretary Finance Alok Shekhar, Director Treasury Arvind K MK and Additiona Director Treasury Simarjeet Kaur were present in the meeting.