A widow got Rs 0.5 million as financial assistance on the directives of Provincial Ombudsman, Sindh Asad Ashraf Malik. Farida Khalid, widow of Muhammad Khalid Khan, Ex-Audit Accounts Assistance in Sindh Building Control Authority, in her complaint to Ombudsman Sindh had requested for grant of financial assistance as per Government/KBCA's rules.
She added that the meager amount of pension was not sufficient to meet day to day expenses and quoted the order of KBCA regarding financial assistance to employees who died during service. The Ombudsman, after investigation and hearings, asked the concerned agency ie Sindh Building Control Authority for comments. The concerned Agency in their reply informed that the above case was put up for approval before the competent authority, which did not approve it.
It further stated that payment was not mandatory. The Ombudsman in his directive said that it was obligatory on the administrative department to grant financial assistance, as approved by the Finance Department, to civil servants who expired during service, in addition to other benefits admissible to the family of deceased under rules. The Ombudsman further directed the department to release financial assistance to the widow immediately.
Following the directives of the Ombudsman, the KBCA issued a cheque of rupees five lacs in favour of the widow Fareeda Khalid which was handed over to her by Provincial Ombudsman Sindh at a simple ceremony held at Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat.