PORVORIM: Hinting at a possible hike in the monthly financial assistance under Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) from next financial year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday told state assembly that providing bogus information to avail benefits of the Government’s welfare schemes would be a criminal offence in near future.
Parrikar said that impact assessment survey undertaken for DSSS and Griha Aadhar scheme, since January, this year, has helped identify nearly 4519 dead beneficiaries, while another 1236 who have migrated out of Goa (547) and India (689) and 3733, who have willfully surrendered the scheme being not entitled for it. There are also another 4465 doubtful cases and 1382 beneficiaries who are non- traceable.
“Government has kept on hold all the payments in these respective cases, while in terms of dead beneficiaries, we have written to the Banks to refund the amount. Government is saving on an average Rs two crore monthly, since the survey has started,” Chief Minister said informing House that the survey would be completed by December end.
“With so much of saving, Government is contemplating increasing the benefit under DSSS from the next financial year. We would make necessary mention in the coming Budget,” Parrikar announced while adding ‘Government will come down heavily on those providing bogus information, which would be like filing of criminal cases’.
Chief Minister was replying to the question raised by Congress MLA Filip Neri Rodrigues, who sought to know the reason behind undertaking the impact assessment study and what action government intends to take against those who found misusing the scheme. He was raised question on whether the move is basically because of financial burden on the State exchequers.
Participating in the discussion, BJP MLA Glen Ticlo urged government to consider increase in the monthly allowance under DSSS, which is focused towards providing relief to senior citizens.
Responding to the same, Parrikar said that the survey is been undertaken to know whether the schemes have really benefited the deserving section and also to check whether the beneficiaries are getting the benefit on time. “Most important reason for undertaking survey was to identify the bogus beneficiaries. We had come across many in the past,” he said.
He informed House that as many as 4519 beneficiaries of DSSS and Griha Aadhar were found to be dead and that the money continued to get deposited in their bank accounts. “No body from their families bothered to inform us that the beneficiaries are dead. In some cases, the amount was found to be even withdrawn. Hence, we have now decided to introduce thumb impression to ascertain the identity of the person availing the benefit,” Parrikar said.
“Post completion of the survey, we would be introducing some stringent conditions, wherein those providing bogus information will be treated as criminal offence. We have already filed cases against few,” he added.
Chief Minister said that during the survey, the authorities came across 1800 beneficiaries, who were not cooperating, while around 10,777 house address which are not traceable. Also another 3995 houses were found to be closed during the time of survey and no response despite notice being served.
Parrikar clarified that both the schemes are not on hold. While in case of DSSS, 400 new applications were cleared last month, the upper limit of Girha Aadhar was exhausted, he said.
