Pradyuman Kumar Chaudhary, a former principal of Bajra government middle school, broke down in front of officials during a pension grievance redress camp at the collectorate on Sunday.

The 60-year-old, who retired in February this year, is being forced to paint other people’s homes to make ends meet because his benefits matter is pending with the Ranchi treasury. Reason: the district education superintendent’s office hasn’t yet submitted his last pay scale details and no-dues certificate.

“Let alone my pension, I am yet to receive my gratuity money too. My savings have been drained over the past few months. Now, I work as a daily-wage commercial painter to run my family of three. I have a daughter to marry off and a wife who often needs medical attention,” Chaudhary told officials.

Additional collector Poonam Jha, who was heading the camp, immediately instructed the district education department to fix the retired principal’s pension problem on priority basis by October 7.

“The education department has informed us that some dues (of Chaudhary) have not been settled. Besides, the money matter is also pending in lok adalat. I have instructed the department to deduct whatever amount is necessary from the pension corpus and start disbursing the same,” Jha said.

During the three-hour camp, 15 retired government employees turned up with their grievances. Three cases involved the education department, nine were related to different banks and one each to health, district statistical wing and Chanho block.

One Vishnu Prasad Gupta said he retired as a statistical officer in January and despite having submitted all mandatory documents, his pension had not been started.

“Earlier, I was told to apply offline for pension. Later, I was told to apply online, which I did too. There are many discrepancies in my case. I was an assistant-rank officer

who was later promoted to the rank of statistical officer. But, there is no mention of my promotion and revised pay scale (in government records),” Gupta said.

Aggrieved Pooran Mirdha retired as a driver in September last year. He claims an officer at Ranchi treasury, known as Sharmaji, was sitting on his file. “I am ailing and have to borrow money for my treatment. The government has turned a blind eye to my economic hardships,” Mirdha said.

Widow Mangla Devi recalled that after her husband died, she had started receiving pension. “But, the amount has not been revised since 2016 despite the government revising dearness allowance, among others,” she said.

Additional collector Jha said the district administration had sought action-taken report from departments and banks concerned. “We want to assure these retired employees that their matter will not remain pending. All their problems will be resolved within a month. Each case

will be reviewed by none

other than the deputy commissioner.”

The camp will be held on all four Sundays of October, Jha added.