SRO-59: Irregularities Detected, Rs 111.04 Cr Recovered In Decade

Srinagar: The Finance Department on Thursday asked all administrative secretaries of works departments direct DDO’s under their direct control to strictly comply with the instructions related to grant of extending the benefit of SRO-59 before sending the pension cases to office of Principal Accountant General.

“Principal Accountant General (A&E), J&K has expressed serious concern over submission of pension cases of the retiring Government employees by the Government departments to his office without adhering to the relevant Rules and Regulations. It has been pointed out that gross irregularities have been noticed particularly in case of works departments (Jal Shakti, R&B, PDD, Irrigation and Flood Control, UEED and other offices),” reads a circular issued by Dr. Arun Kumr Mehta) (IAS) Financial Commissioner, finance department, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“It has been observed that Drawing & Disbursing Officers (DDOs)/ Pension Sanctioning Authority are allowing the benefit of SRO-59 dated 06.02.1990 even beyond date of withdrawal of the SRO i.e., 15.01.1996, and in many cases at the fag end of the service, retrospectively, without observing the rules and regulations, resulting in extra burden on the Government Exchequer.”

He said that the magnitude of irregularities in matter of fixation and regulation of pay of employees can be gauged from the fact that an amount of Rs. 111.04 Crores has been recovered during the period from April, 2010 to March, 2020.

“Accordingly, Administrative Secretaries of works departments (Jal Shakti, R&B, PDD, Irrigation and Flood Control, UEED and other offices) are advised to direct DDO’s under their direct control to strictly comply with the instructions related to grant of extending the benefit of SRO-59 dated 06.02.1990 before sending the pension cases to office of Principal Accountant General,” he said, adding, “A certificate to the effect that the benefit of SRO-59, allowed to the employee, has been found in order as per rules and all conditions for the grant of such benefit have been complied with shall be provided by the DDO, along with the pension case.”

In case of irregularities in pay, he said, the DDO concerned shall be held personally responsible and excess paid amount shall be recovered from him. (GNS)