PROVINCIAL OMBUDSMAN SINDH DIRECTS CHIEF SECRETARY TO ENSURE TIMELY PAYMENT OF SERVICE DUES TO THE RETIREES AND WIDOWS OF DECEASED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
The directives were issued by Mr. Ajaz Ali Khan Provincial Ombudsman Sindh while disposing of the complaint of Mst. Aisha Khatoon who was able to get service dues of Rs. 31,19,864/-, on his intervention, after six years of death of her husband.
The above named complainant filed a complaint stating that her husband Muhammad Ibrahim Ansari was Draftsman in the office of Executive Engineer, Highways Division, Sujawal and died during service on 07-03-2018 but family pension and other service dues were not paid despite her approaches to the authorities and, therefore, solicited intervention.
The complainant was admitted and assigned to Regional Director Provincial Ombudsman Regional Office, Hyderabad who issued notices to authorities concerned. In response, the Executive Engineer, Highways Division, Sujawal, Reported that an amount of Rs. 14,19,864/- towards leave encashment and gratuity/commutation has been paid and cases regarding payment of dues of G.P. Fund, Group Insurance and financial assistance, forwarded to competent authority for further action.
During further proceedings the Executive Engineer, Highways Division Sujawal, further informed that son of the deceased employee has appointed as Tracer (BPS-5) against deceased quota whereas the Assistant manager, State Life Insurance Corporation, Hyderabad, produced cheque of Rs.350,000/- on account Group Insurance, which was handed over to the widow complainant. Lastly the District Accounts Officer, Sujawal reported that dues of Rs.900,000/- towards financial assistance has also been paid to the complainant who confirmed payment of total Rs.31,19,864/- and appointment of her son against deceased quota besides payment of monthly pension.
The Honourable Ombudsman Sindh observed that it was distressful that authorities took six years to pay the admissible dues to a widow which should have been done much earlier to avoid the problems faced by the lady, therefore, he directed the Chief Secretary to ensure timely payment of legitimate service dues to the retired and deceased employees.