VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: The Social Welfare Department has recovered Rs six crore from rogue beneficiaries of State-government flagship Dayanand Social Security pension scheme.
The inquiry conducted by Pune-based CPR agency on behalf of the department had detected that annual income of 919 beneficiaries was more than Rs 20,000 per annum as against Rs 12,000 per slab prescribed under the scheme.
Similarly, 1907 beneficiaries were migrants and 491 retired servicemen who had an annual income of more than the prescribed limit.
The 2012 survey revealed that 14 government servants were among many in North Goa who had dishonestly reaped benefits from the scheme meant for underprivileged persons.
The fake beneficiaries were issued show cause notices and since then the recovery process was on.
“A total of around Rs six crore has been recovered from the fake beneficiaries so far. This sum is being utilized for genuine DSS beneficiaries,” Director Vijay Paranjpe told Herald.
The department has lately issued more show causes to ‘doubtful’ beneficiaries, who are given
a stipulated time-frame to reply.
In case the department does not get replies, the banks which are tied-up with the government to credit the monthly remuneration to the beneficiaries have been asked to debit the amount from the fake beneficiary’s bank account in favor of the department, as its first step.
“Further action will follow,” the officer warned.
The Manohar Parrikar-government had scaled up the benefit cover from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for beneficiaries including 16 economically weaker sections of society. However, it was found in some cases, the beneficiaries were dead. The agency which submits its findings to the Department of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation is currently carrying out the survey in the South Goa district. A report on this is expected shortly.
While the DSS benefit is being disbursed without any barrier, another component under the DSS in which the government approved hiking Rs 500 for medical allowance is yet to be notified. Deputy Director Santan Fernandes said the proposal is under active consideration of the government.
“The proposal is presently with the finance department. As per the scheme, only those DSS beneficiaries who require prolonged treatment for any ailment and get medical certificate from a government doctor is eligible to get the benefit,” he said.
The monthly remuneration will be credited into the bank account of a beneficiary who is able to furnish medical certificate that establishes he is undergoing prolonged medical treatment.
