Different views have been expressed on the new arrangement for the payment of pensions through banks. From the viewpoint of the government there are many advantages. However, many recipients are not happy. There is no doubt that frauds were perpetrated by unscrupulous Postal department employees, Grama Niladharis, etc., But, what is the assurance that frauds will be eliminated simply because payments are made through banks?

I am aware that many public officers meticulously maintained records of their salaries for three or four decades. During my time I know of a number of my colleagues who at a time when salary slips were not issued, kept records in exercise books. I know of persons who kicked up a row even when one cent was reduced from their pay, intentionally or by mistake. Especially in large organisations like the Postal, Railway, Health and Education departments the difference of one cent would add up to a sizable amount over along period of time.

In the absence of any document how is the recipient to know that he gets the exact amount due him simply because payments are made through banks with the option of making withdrawals through ATMs or through new-fangled mobile phones? However it does not obviate the need to issue a receipt to the recipient. More so because it involves a financial transaction and the recipient would like to keep a record of it.

Computer enthusiasts are aware that large scale financial rackets have been master minded by "hackers" who simply pilfer millions without the knowledge of account holders and the bankers themselves!

Many pensioners live in remote areas far away from banks. Visiting a bank would involve many hours and additional expenses. Most rural banks in rural areas do not have automated facilities. ATMs will merely record the total receipts and not the breakdown. I am sure that most pensioners would like to know about the changes made in their pensions from time to time. In fact a receipt would be useful in proof of one’s monthly income when somebody goes to purchase some item on instalment or to obtain a loan from a financial institution. Surely the government does not have to spend large amounts in preparing and sending receipts. The receipts need not be posted. They can be made available at the time of collection.