Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
An attempt is being made by some officials in the administration to shut down the ‘Pension Cell’, which has been instrumental in disbursing pensions to around 15,000 Zilla Parishad pensioners at one place and resolving their issues efficiently. Distressed senior pensioners and office-bearers of the District Pensioners’ Association met chief executive officer Minnu P. M. and president Avinash Galande, demanding that the cell be continued.
The ‘Pension Cell’, started in 2016 for the convenience of pensioners at the Zilla Parishad, has repeatedly faced closure and reopening over the years, highlighting once again its necessity for retired employees. The initiative was launched based on the demand of the District Pensioners’ Association and conceptualised by then CEO Abhijit Chaudhari, chief accounts and finance officer Vilas Jadhav, and Uttam Chavan.
However, in July 2017, the then CEO abruptly shut down the cell, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among pensioners. The association then launched an agitation. Responding to their demand, then divisional commissioner Purushottam Bhapkar ordered the reopening of the cell.
At that time, then Zilla Parishad president Devayani Dongavkar also took the initiative to restart the cell. In November 2025, the administration once again prepared to shut it down. However, association president Vasant Sabnis, working president Vilas Jadhav, vice president Dr Arvind Deshmukh, secretary Namdev Ghughe, and treasurer Janardan Amritkar highlighted its importance.
Following positive feedback from additional CEO Vasudev Solanke and incharge chief accounts and finance officer Maya Manjarmkar, then CEO Ankit decided to continue the cell.