Ahmedabad: The state finance department has achieved a major milestone in implementing the old pension scheme (OPS) for eligible govt employees, settling 19,229 cases following the state’s April 16, 2025 decision to transition staff from the National Pension System (NPS).Spearheaded by finance minister Kanu Desai and minister of state for finance Kamlesh Patel, the extensive administrative drive prioritised speed, accountability and the seamless execution of retirement and death benefit settlements.As part of the rollout, pension authorities issued clearances for 1,037 retirement and death cases, releasing benefits totalling Rs 124.1 crore. In another significant financial move, the department deposited Rs 1,019.7 crore, accumulated as returns on govt contributions to the NPS, into the state account head ‘0049 – Interest Receipts’ in a single instalment, channelling the funds directly towards state budgetary requirements and developmental projects.Additionally, the govt facilitated the payment of Rs 2,230.2 crore through 327 demand drafts to district education officers, district primary education officers and other local administrative bodies.To reinforce financial transparency and prevent fraud, Pension and Provident Fund Office in Gandhinagar integrated QR codes and barcodes into all pension authorisation documents and dispatch letters. The department also adopted a district-wise bulk-processing model to accelerate case disposal, eliminate procedural bottlenecks and minimise risks of corruption.
