‘Dead’ get pension in Muktsar dist
Wednesday, 25/04/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120426/punjab.htm#9
A large number of persons covered under pension schemes for the elderly, the physically handicapped and widows who died years ago are reportedly getting Rs 250 every month.
A probe conducted by the Department of Social Security has revealed that 885 pensioners in Moga who are no longer alive have been receiving pension.
The report says of a total 44,963 pensioners registered post-2002, only 35,618 are eligible, the rest are ineligible or dead.
During a survey conducted in rural areas, department officials found that of the 38,997 pensioners, 755 were dead and 6,340 either ineligible or absent. That brought the number of eligible pensioners down to 31,902. The report further said that in urban areas, 130 pensioners were found to be dead. It seems the pensioners’ kin had not bothered to get their names deleted from the list of beneficiaries. As many as 2,120 persons were found either ineligible or absent. Only 3,716 pensioners were found genuine.
Many others had submitted forged documents to be enlisted as “needy” persons.
Rajvinder Singh Gill, District Social Security Officer, when asked if action would be taken against those who continued to receive pension knowing well that they were not eligible for it, said: “We were only directed to delete names of persons not qualified for pension.” He said the pension amount had been given till January.
