A shocking case of administrative negligence and indifference has come to light in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. An old pensioner, resident of Bharsuda village of Konch tehsil, was mistakenly declared dead by the officials in their records, after which his pension was stopped. For the last three years, this old man has been making rounds of government offices to get his pension restored, but he has not been able to get justice. Ultimately he had to travel to the District Magistrate’s office to prove himself ‘alive’.

66 year old Jagdev Singh of Bharsuda village was entitled for old age pension and was receiving pension regularly. About three years ago his pension suddenly stopped coming. When he got it investigated, it came to light that he had been declared dead by mistake in the administrative records. Due to this mistake of the department, his pension account was frozen.

making rounds of offices

To rectify this mistake and get his pension restored, Jagdev Singh and his family started visiting offices from village to tehsil and district level. Despite forwarding the file, filing complaints and presenting evidence, he was disappointed everywhere. No concrete action was taken by the authorities and the matter remained pending. Tired and hopeful of justice, Jagdev Singh went straight to the District Magistrate’s office. He informed the District Magistrate about the situation and complained about this serious administrative negligence.

Have to give proof to be alive

The elder’s son Ravindra Kumar expressed deep disappointment over this entire episode. He said, this is government apathy. My father is alive and is standing here as proof, yet he has had to prove for three years that he is alive. We appealed at every level, but no one listened. Due to closure of pension, they are facing problems in their daily expenses.

Jagdev Singh, an elderly victim, said that he has been wandering from office to office for three years. Everyone says a mistake has been made and they will correct it, but nothing happens. Pension is closed, how much will I have to wander to prove that I am alive.