After 68 years of independence India's Central Bank still can't distribute pension on time

Even though India (often referred as world's largest democracy) achieved independence around 68 years ago, nothing has changed for the ordinary pensioner - whose life (even in old age) is still full of stress and anxiety because they can't get their pension or their arrears on time.

Often it results in Pensioners Associations staging protests. For example, in April 2015, All India Bank Pensioners and Retirees Confederation (AIBPRC) pensioners protested in front of the main branch of Indian Overseas Bank for demands relating to their Pensions. Similarly there was a 12-day hunger strike by pensioners of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in May 2015 for their pension and arrears.

All the pensioners in India want is their money on time, which Indian government banks should deposit in their personal accounts, but it seldom happens. Frequently, just to receive their pensions on time, pensioners in India have to fight pillar to post.

The following example reflects the mismanagement and carelessness in the Central Bank of India. A pensioner /retiree (2004) V. K. Gupta PPO No.-4234 had their pension held up 3 times in the last year without any valid reason. Their Pension Arrears and tax deductions have also been messed up by Central Bank of India Bareilly branch officials. There is seemingly no-one available to answer these people's queries.

As per the law, even the government of India can't stop the pension of a retiree, but Central Bank of India officials have demonstrated the total disregard to the Government of India's initiative.

What is more astonishing is that even the most senior officials in Central Bank of India, Sh. Rajeev Rishi, CMD chose not to reply when several emails were sent to him on this matter.

Because of the growing number of complaints about the harassment of the pensioners recently, the Indian government have issued the direction to the Indian banks that pensioners shouldn't be harassed on various pretexts.

Interestingly, one of the Indian bank chiefs, Ms Chandra Kochhar, has suggested that Indian banks should think of joining the global league but the question needs to be asked as to whether the Central Bank of India officials are ready for that.

Why does the ordinary pensioner have to suffer in India after 68 years of independence? Or why can't banks in India distribute pension/arrears on time? Or why do government banks in India continue to work in a careless manner; and with this approach, are they ready to join global league?