Guwahati, February 23, 2026: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the transformation of the Northeast since 2014 is clearly visible on the ground, adding that the region’s complete mainstreaming with the rest of India is among the biggest contributions of the Narendra Modi government. Addressing a Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop in Guwahati, he asserted that development and peace now flourish together across the region.
Development and Peace Go Hand in Hand
Speaking at the workshop organised by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare in collaboration with the Assam Government, Dr Singh said development and peace share a reciprocal relationship. “When peace prevails, development accelerates, and when development reaches people, it strengthens peace,” he remarked.
The Minister noted that those who had witnessed the Northeast before 2014 could best appreciate the scale of change. Improved connectivity, better security conditions and expanded infrastructure have collectively ushered in a new era for the region, he said.
Visible Transformation Across the Region
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted improved road connectivity between Guwahati and Shillong, railway expansion into states that earlier had no rail access, and the development of new airports across the Northeast. He also referred to major infrastructure projects such as the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge as examples of integration-driven growth.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits and close monitoring of projects as key factors behind the region’s accelerated development. According to the Minister, the “total mainstreaming” of the Northeast with the rest of the country stands as a defining achievement of the past decade.
Pre-Retirement Counselling: A New Beginning at 60
The Guwahati workshop marked the second Pre-Retirement Counselling programme held in Assam this year, reflecting strong coordination between the Centre and the State. Senior officials, public representatives, banking institutions including SBI, and employees nearing superannuation participated in the event.
Dr Singh emphasised that retirement at 60 should not be seen as the end of productive life. “Those retiring today are often in their prime of health and professional capability,” he said, adding that their experience and expertise must be channelised for nation-building in the journey towards Viksit Bharat.
Pension Reforms with a Citizen-Centric Focus
The Minister outlined major pension reforms undertaken over the past decade. He recalled that earlier, pensioners frequently faced delays due to multiple No Objection Certificates and cumbersome paperwork. Today, end-to-end digital processing ensures pension papers are initiated well in advance and processed online.
The CCS (Pension) Rules have been simplified, with multiple coloured forms replaced by a single integrated digital form. Obsolete provisions dating back to colonial times have been removed, making the system more responsive and humane.
Dr Singh cited reforms such as granting family pension to single, divorced and separated daughters without prolonged legal procedures, and extending benefits even if an employee dies before completing ten years of service. Rules concerning missing employees have also been amended to reduce hardship for families.
Digital Life Certificates and Technology Push
Highlighting the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign, the Minister said it has evolved into a mass movement. Camps are organised across thousands of cities, and Face Recognition Technology now enables elderly pensioners to submit life certificates from home using mobile devices.
He also referred to the “Bhavishya” portal for online pension processing, integration of pension-disbursing banks into a single-window system, and regular Pension Adalats for grievance redressal. Several long-pending cases, including some pending for decades, have been resolved through these interventions.
Stakeholders in Viksit Bharat
Dr Jitendra Singh urged retiring employees to consider themselves active stakeholders in India’s growth story. He said the government’s approach has focused not merely on creating new rules but on eliminating outdated ones that no longer serve society’s needs.
Expressing confidence in the Pre-Retirement Counselling initiative, he said it would help employees plan their post-retirement lives with clarity while enabling the nation to benefit from their continued engagement.
As the Northeast witnesses both peace and progress, the Minister concluded that the region’s journey stands as a testament to how sustained development can reinforce national integration and long-term stability.
