Aizawl: Mizoram CM Lalduhoma on Wednesday urged all those receiving family pension under the Govt of Mizoram through fraudulent or invalid documents to voluntarily surrender their Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) during the voluntary surrender window.The chief minister, who holds the finance portfolio, made the statement at the statewide kick-off programme on “Sensitisation of Voluntary Surrender of Pension Payment Order (PPO)” launched by the state Finance Department at the Assembly Annex Conference Hall in Aizawl to facilitate the voluntary surrender of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) by persons drawing family pension on the basis of fraudulent or invalid documents.The chief minister said the govt is committed to ensuring that all pensioners receive their pension and family pension benefits in a smooth, timely and transparent manner. Considerable efforts were already made to streamline the pension system.Lalduhoma said delays in pension processing are often caused by inadequate training of officials handling pension files in various offices. To address this, the Govt is in the process of establishing a dedicated Training Wing to strengthen the capacity of officials dealing with pension matters. He also reaffirmed the Govt’s deep respect for retired employees who devoted the prime years of their lives to the service of the state.Expressing concern over the misuse of the family pension system, the chief minister said that while some individuals deliberately used forged documents to obtain family pension, others might have done so unknowingly. He stressed that the Govt is determined to put an end to such misuse of public funds.As an initial measure, the govt has provided a three-month voluntary surrender window during which persons illegally drawing family pension are encouraged to surrender their PPOs. Those who do so within the stipulated period will not be required to refund the pension already received, as the Govt will waive recovery of the amount.After the voluntary surrender window closes, the Govt’s task force will undertake comprehensive field verification of all family pension beneficiaries. Those found to have obtained family pension illegally will have their pension discontinued and will also face legal action.The CM further stated that fraudulent family pension claims are often supported by forged documents. He warned that if documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, non-marriage certificates, life certificates, income certificates, ration cards or any other documents submitted for family pension are found to be suspicious, the Govt will conduct thorough investigations. Authorities responsible for issuing such documents have been urged to exercise utmost caution, and where necessary, legal action may also be initiated against them.Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour, TBC Lalvenchhunga, adviser to the chief minister (Finance & Planning), said that pension payments have become the largest component of the state Govt’s revenue expenditure. While the Govt is committed to extending pension benefits to all eligible beneficiaries, fraudulent claims made through forged documents cannot be tolerated, he said.At present, 39,954 beneficiaries are receiving pension benefits under the Govt of Mizoram. These include 22,139 superannuation pensioners, 11,194 family pension beneficiaries, 5,629 pensioners receiving pension through the Centralised Pension Processing Centre (CPPC), 594 voluntary retirement pensioners, 289 Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) pensioners, 69 invalid pension beneficiaries and 40 compulsory retirement pensioners.The Govt opened the voluntary surrender window from July 1 to Sept 30, 2026, during which ineligible family pension beneficiaries may voluntarily surrender their PPOs. It was informed that a number of individuals have already done so. After the deadline, verification and identification of the remaining fraudulent beneficiaries will continue, while awareness campaigns will also be intensified across the state to prevent future misuse through forged documents.The programme was chaired by Ramchuana, secretary for Finance Department. Vanlaldina Fanai, commissioner of Finance, delivered the welcome address, while Jennifer HL Duhawmi, additional secretary, presented the report. The vote of thanks was delivered by Vanlalsawma, Chief Controller of Accounts.Following the inaugural programme, a technical session was held with representatives of local councils, NGOs and church leaders from Aizawl district. Similar sensitisation programmes will be conducted in all other districts across the state.
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