IEP Chandigarh, April 10
Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government is committed to ensure the welfare of its retired employees. He said that the legitimate demands and issues raised by Pensioners’ Joint Front were under serious consideration and a decision in this regard will be taken soon.During a meeting with the representatives of the Pensioners’ Joint Front here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the finance department is studying the financial implications regarding the demands related to finance. He also directed the officials of the finance department to draft a proposal within 15 days so that a decision in this regard could be taken at the earliest.Discussing the front’s demand regarding cashless medical facility, the finance minister asked the director of the health department to study any such facility being provided in other states and prepare a proposal. He also issued instructions to ensure strict compliance of the schedule made to settle the medical bills of the pensioners within 3 months besides operationalising the online portal to bring transparency in the settlement of medical bills.The Finance Minister also issued directions to schedule a meeting with the officials of office of Accountant General Punjab to resolve the pensioners’ issues related to this office. He also asked to invite two leaders from the front in this meeting so that they could raise their concern wherever required.
