Govt launches online pension tracking system to reduce pensioners’ sufferings

The government is launching the 'Online Pension Tracking and Management System' (OPTMS) to reduce the long-standing suffering in pension applications and approvals, said State Minister for Public Administration and Food Md. Abdul Bari.

He said that if this system is launched, pensioners will be able to submit applications digitally, track the progress of the application and make necessary management. This will reduce time and harassment as well as ensure transparency and accountability in government services.

He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a workshop on 'Online Pension Tracking and Management System' at the conference room of the Ministry of Public Administration at the Secretariat on Tuesday. This information was given in a press release on Wednesday.

The State Minister said that retired government employees often face delays, procedural complications and unnecessary office travel in pension-related work. If OPTMS is fully launched, they will be able to apply online from home and know the progress of the application. As a result, it will be possible to ensure receipt of pension in the fastest possible time.

He also said that if services are available online without going to the government office, it will work as an effective tool to reduce corruption.

Regarding pensioners who surrender 100 percent pension, Md. Abdul Bari said that according to the existing provisions, if a pensioner dies before the 15-year reinstatement period ends, his family does not get the benefit of pension reinstatement. There is an opportunity to reconsider this policy to ensure fairness to the affected families.

Finance Department Secretary Dr. Md. Khayeruzzaman Majumder and Comptroller General of Accounts SM Rezvi were present as special guests in the workshop held under the chairmanship of Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration.

In his speech as the chairman, Md. Ehsanul Haque said that earlier there was no integrated database of government employees. As a result, the process of granting pensions became complicated. If an updated employee database can be maintained, the process of approving pensions will be much easier.

He also emphasised the setting up of a separate help desk for pensioners, so that retired employees and family pensioners can easily get the necessary services.

Finance Department Secretary Dr. Md. Khayeruzzaman Majumder said that many pensioners find themselves in a helpless situation after retirement due to various complications. OPTMS will increase their confidence by ensuring hassle-free services.

He said that in the first phase, this system will be introduced on a pilot basis for regular pension cases of employees of the Ministry of Public Administration. Later, it will be expanded to the Finance Department, the Office of the Comptroller General of Accounts, all ministries, attached departments and field offices.

He further said that if the 'One Rank One Pension' system is introduced, inequality will be reduced and the financial security of retirees will be further strengthened.

Comptroller General of Accounts SM Rezvi said that significant progress has already been made in post-pension management. Pensioners are now getting fully digital services. The monitoring system of pension management in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has been strengthened, making the service more transparent and accountable.

Dr. Ziaul Abedin, Additional Secretary, Budget-1 Division, Finance Division and National Program Director, SPFMS Program, delivered the welcome speech at the workshop. He said that iBUS++ has made significant progress in various areas including GPF automation, post-pension benefits automation, asset management module, TA/DA module, family card and farmer card database and LPC module.

He expressed the hope that with the introduction of OPTMS, the pre-retirement pension process will be more streamlined and the employees seeking retirement will get better services.

Md. Hasanul Matin, Additional Secretary, Budget and Law Division, Finance Division, moderated the open discussion session of the workshop.

Dr. Mahfuza Begum, Program Executive and Coordinator of SPFMS Pension, Fund Management and Financial Reporting Standards and Timeliness Scheme, presented the keynote address at the event.