Speaking to mediapersons, Er. K. Lalsawmvela, a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member of the MNF General Headquarters (GHQ), said the directive, issued through an Office Memorandum dated October 28, had forced pensioners aged 60 and above, including the elderly and physically frail, to visit treasury offices.

Describing the exercise as unprecedented, Lalsawmvela said the government was compelling elderly pensioners to stand in long queues, often along roadsides, from early morning, instead of making the verification process more accessible.

He said pensioners had devoted their working lives to serving the government and the state and deserved dignity and respect. Subjecting them to physical hardship in the name of administrative convenience was unacceptable, he added.

Lalsawmvela pointed out that Mizoram had traditionally followed the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, under which pensioners are required to submit an Annual Life Certificate every November to establish their eligibility for continued pension payments.

He said the Central government had introduced several measures to simplify the process, including the Jeevan Pramaan digital platform, which allows pensioners to submit Digital Life Certificates from their homes.

He also highlighted alternative arrangements for those unable to access digital services, including assistance from government officials, MPs, MLAs and Village Council representatives.

While acknowledging that preventing fraudulent pension claims was a legitimate responsibility of the government, Lalsawmvela questioned the need for mandatory physical verification when technological alternatives were already available.

He argued that the government should adopt pensioner-friendly measures rather than impose procedures that cause unnecessary hardship to elderly beneficiaries.

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