PORVORIM: The State government on Thursday decided to shift the accounts of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) beneficiaries from banks that refuse to deposit the sanctioned monthly amount sans a 15-digit account number.
Social Welfare Minister, Mahadev Naik told the Legislative Assembly that as on date there are 3689 beneficiaries whose monthly installments are due for the last three months as the banks are not ready to deposit the amount in absence of a 15-digit account number.
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through a circular has made 15-digit account number mandatory for all its customers from April 1. However, few banks without intimation to the government or the account holders, are not undertaking any transactions to those accounts,” Naik said.
The banks include Syndicate, Canara, Corporation and Dena. “Despite several meetings with the bank managers, they are not ready to accept our request to continue depositing the fund, giving a specific time to the customers to apply for a 15-digit number,” the minister said, replying to a question tabled by BJP MLA, Michael Lobo.
“Now we are left with an option to switch over the bank accounts from these four banks. I will issue necessary directions to the Director of Social Welfare,” Naik said.
The MLA pointed out that several senior citizens are facing inconvenience due to non-release of their monthly DSSS installment.
The minister informed the House that since 2012, the government has spent nearly Rs 2,000 crore on DSSS payments to 1.40 lakh beneficiaries. “We are also in the process of recovering the amount from those bogus beneficiaries. Last year, an amount of Rs 21 crore was recovered,” Naik said.
