Corruption in Public Pension

A study on Public Pension under the TIB Fellowship Program was released in August 2008. It revealed how retired government officers and employees suffer in getting their pension benefits. Key recommendations included:

• Reduction of paperwork and processing stages and automation of the process for drawing
pension;
• Creation of digital database for the pension entitlement and delivery system including a modern
record management system, which should be accessible to all those who are entitled to pension;
• Ensuring Transparency through updating the Pension Delivery Handbook and proper observance
of the same;
• A Charter of Pension Rights and Entitlements, which will also indicate the basic information of
the process and documentation needed for drawing pensions should be developed and made
available to all who are entitled to pension;
• Institutional capacity with respect to delivery of pensions should be enhanced with the provision
for specifically designated functionaries with clear job descriptions;
• Disclosure of information on pension delivery including periodic reports preferably on quarterly
basis;
• Clear-cut complain and grievance mechanisms and processes should be established including the channels of reporting including steps for speedy disposal of pending cases;
• Reviewing implementation of the 2001 Order and its updating with a view to reforming the pension delivery system;
• Review of salaries and benefits of public officials which must be consistent with the cost of living. At the same time institutionalization of positive and negative incentives including rigorous application of disciplinary measures for violation of laws and rules; and
• Awareness programme for employees entitled to pension about their rights and entitlement with
respect to pension as well as responsibilities, especially own record-keeping in order to avoid
harassment.