The continuing struggle of pensioners in Jammu and Kashmir is not just an administrative issue but a moral test for governance. The Union Territory Government currently owes a staggering Rs 4,468 crore in pending retirement dues to its former employees, a figure that should deeply concern every policymaker. These arrears, which include unpaid amounts under the General Provident Fund (GPF), gratuity, commutation, and leave salary, represent more than just financial liabilities. They are the hard-earned entitlements of thousands of retired employees who dedicated their lives to public service, often under challenging conditions, and now find themselves waiting endlessly for what is rightfully theirs.
According to official figures, the unpaid liabilities stand at Rs 2,390 crore under GPF, Rs 1,537 crore under gratuity, Rs 332 crore under commutation, and Rs 209 crore under leave salary. While the government has cleared a portion of these dues during the current financial year, the backlog continues to swell. Each delay in settlement adds not just to the financial burden but also to the emotional and physical distress of the pensioners who depend on these funds for basic survival. The Finance Department’s explanation that “budgetary constraints” and “verification processes” are responsible for the delay may sound plausible on paper, but it offers little comfort to those waiting for their dues month after month. What makes this situation particularly troubling is that these are not unpredictable expenses or emergency obligations. Retirement liabilities are recurring and measurable and can be easily forecasted with proper financial planning. In today’s age of digital governance and fiscal automation, it is entirely possible to anticipate annual retirement payouts and allocate a dedicated budget accordingly. The very fact that the backlog continues to rise reflects deep-rooted systemic inefficiency, poor planning, and misplaced administrative priorities. A government that prides itself on transparency and efficiency cannot afford to let such a critical area fall into chronic neglect. The creation of “priority mechanisms” for cases involving medical emergencies, marriages, or tuition needs is, at best, a stopgap measure. While it demonstrates some sensitivity, it is also a tacit acknowledgment that the system itself is broken. The settlement of retirement dues should be a matter of routine governance, not a favour dispensed through personal recommendations or political influence. When retired employees are forced to approach legislators or higher offices for relief, it diminishes both the dignity of the pensioners and the credibility of the administration. Selective prioritization, instead of systematic resolution, only deepens the sense of unfairness among those still waiting for their payments. The human cost of this crisis is immense. For many pensioners, especially those from lower-income cadres, these payments are not mere post-retirement benefits but their sole means of sustenance. They rely on them for medical care, their children’s education, or to meet everyday household expenses. The delay, therefore, is not just bureaucratic but profoundly personal. Stories of retirees unable to afford critical treatments or living in financial distress are stark reminders that governance, at its core, must be humane. To deprive them of their rightful dues is to erode the very social contract between the state and its employees. Fiscal prudence and welfare need not be opposing goals. The government’s argument that infrastructural development or budgetary restrictions are limiting factors does not hold moral ground when it comes to meeting these fundamental obligations. Economic growth cannot be built on the suffering of those who have already given their best years in the service of the state. A compassionate administration balances its books without compromising the dignity of its citizens, particularly its retired workforce. A practical way forward would be the establishment of a dedicated Pensioners’ Welfare and Settlement Fund, with clear, ring-fenced allocations in the annual budget. This fund should function independently of general treasury operations to ensure uninterrupted disbursement, even during fiscal fluctuations. Furthermore, a time-bound digital clearance system, monitored through an online dashboard, can bring real-time transparency and accountability into the process. Pensioners and their families should be able to track the status of their claims without endless visits to offices or reliance on intermediaries.
The time has come for the Jammu and Kashmir Government to act decisively. Clearing pension arrears is not an act of benevolence; it is the fulfilment of a moral and legal obligation. The credibility of governance is measured not by grand announcements but by how it treats those who have already served their duty. Every delayed file, every pending payment, is a blot on administrative compassion. The government must ensure that no pensioner spends their twilight years in anxiety over dues that are rightfully theirs. Timely payment of retirement benefits is not just financial management, it is the truest reflection of respect, gratitude, and fairness.