Harpal Singh Cheema, Finance Minister of Punjab, on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting with various banks at Punjab Bhawan to address pending cases on the Pensioner Seva Portal (PSP). Expressing serious concern over repeated delays and missed deadlines, he set March 31, 2026 as the final deadline for clearing all pending cases.
Cheema made it clear that no further delay would be tolerated and warned banks of strict action if they fail to comply.
Strict Deadline After Repeated Delays
During the meeting, the Finance Minister noted that banks had previously failed to meet deadlines, forcing the state government to grant extensions upon their request. However, even after the extension, a significant backlog remains.
“All pending cases related to the Pensioner Seva Portal must be resolved by March 31, 2026,” Cheema asserted, adding that a follow-up review meeting will be held on March 15 to assess progress.
He emphasized that pensioners cannot be made to suffer due to administrative inefficiencies.
Digital Life Certificate Compliance
Cheema also raised concerns about non-compliance with the Punjab government’s October 31, 2025 directive mandating acceptance of Digital Life Certificates instead of manual Joint Pensioner Photographs (JPPs).
He stated that some banks have not fully implemented the directive. To bridge communication gaps, the government has issued a special message and draft letter for banks to circulate among pensioners through updated contact databases, ensuring awareness of mandatory JPP and e-KYC requirements.
Focus on Doorstep Services and Cyber Safety
Highlighting the state’s doorstep delivery initiative, Cheema said the government aims to assist pensioners in completing JPP and e-KYC from home. However, considering rising cyber fraud risks, many pensioners may prefer visiting bank branches personally for security reasons.
Therefore, he stressed that banks must remain fully prepared at the branch level to handle such cases efficiently.
Operational Guidelines Issued
Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Alok Shekhar also issued strict operational instructions during the meeting. He directed banks to upload accurate e-scrolls and immediately rectify deficiencies flagged by District Treasury Officers.
Banks were instructed to collect all pending PPOs and PDFs, approve temporary pensioners, and upload manual life certificates approved before the October 31, 2025 cut-off date within the stipulated timeline. Financial institutions were also asked to expedite integration of their software systems with the Pensioner Seva Portal.
The Punjab government’s firm stance signals its commitment to ensuring timely pension services and protecting the interests of senior citizens across the state.
