Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh took a comprehensive review of DoPT, DARPG and DoPPW through interactive video conferencing.
On the Department of Pensions, Dr Singh was informed that the entire department is functioning from home through VPN connection. The department has also enabled inter-ministerial exchange of files on e-office. Approximately four lakh SMSs were sent to pensioners informing them about the precautions to be taken with respect to COVID-19 pandemic. We are also organising a tele-consultation programme for 100 pensioners across Indian cities through video conferencing with a senior doctor of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, followed by another session on yoga and fitness for the elderly pensioners during lockdown. These programmes will be repeated after the lockdown period to ensure physical and mental fitness of the pensioners, who being senior citizens are a vulnerable group. A special helping hand will be extended to them.
All officials of DoPT, DARPG and DoPPW have committed to contribute one-day salary to the PM-CARES Fund for COVID-19 relief operations.