Chandigarh, November 4 — Retired government employees in Punjab will now be able to manage their pension accounts from home, with the state government launching an online platform on Tuesday to digitize pension services.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema unveiled the Pensioner Sewa Portal at Punjab Bhawan, saying the move was meant to “cut red tape and ease the pressure on elderly pensioners who often travel long distances for paperwork.”
The portal will serve around 3.15 lakh pensioners in its initial rollout. Officials said the system will automate pension disbursal and integrate several related services, including online submission of Digital Life Certificates through the ‘Jeevan Pramaan’ app.
Among other available features are a grievance redressal system, a family pension application module, Leave Travel Concession applications, and a profile update section that allows pensioners to change their contact or bank details.
Registration requires Aadhaar-based e-KYC, after which pensioners can log in from their phones or computers. The government said offline help remains available through local Sewa Kendras, district treasuries, and banks. A home delivery service has also been introduced for those unable to travel.
Addressing queries about retirees living abroad, Cheema said, “At this stage, the portal is operational only within India. NRI pensioners can continue submitting manual Life Certificates until e-KYC for them is enabled.”
A dedicated control room has been set up to manage complaints during the transition period. Officials confirmed that helpline numbers will be functional from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on working days.
“The pilot has already been tested, and our staff have been trained,” Cheema said, calling the launch a “step toward a more accountable and efficient pension system.”
