Even as a recent Finance Department probe threw light on the rampant misuse of social security pensions, a January 2020 order indicates that the State government was by then aware of the presence of government employees and service pensioners on the beneficiary list.
The January 23, 2020 order issued by the Finance Department makes it clear that the government has noticed that employees of government, semi-government, and public sector institutions and service pensioners were drawing these pensions. As per the guidelines, they are not eligible for these pensions which are meant as a support for the disadvantaged sections of society.
The 2020 government order wanted all such employees and pensioners to inform the local body concerned and return the money in full. Department heads were also asked to make sure that none of their subordinates were illegally availing themselves of the pensions.
The Finance department had on Thursday (December 12) issued instructions for the recovery of the full amount at 18% penal interest from ineligible individuals who had fraudulently secured this benefit. The December 12 circular adds that government officials responsible for the verification process who helped ineligible individuals sneak onto the beneficiary lists will face stern department-level disciplinary action.
In November, a probe initiated by the Finance department through the Information Kerala Mission identified 1,458 government employees, including teachers, among illegal beneficiaries of the social security pensions. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal had also ordered a Vigilance probe against government officials who helped several wealthy individuals in Ward 7 of the Kottakkal municipality, Malappuram, to find a place on the list.
At present, the social security pensions carry a monthly payment of ₹1,600 per beneficiary.
Interestingly, another government order issued in 2017, featuring detailed guidelines for the distribution of the pensions, mentions even stronger action against ineligible individuals who draw the pensions and government officials who help them secure them.
The November 2017 order was issued when the pension amount was raised from ₹600 to ₹1,000. It noted that both the officials responsible for the verification process and the secretary of the local body concerned would be held accountable in such instances. They would also be liable to make up for any loss to the government from their own pocket.
Further, it goes on to add that “individuals who deceive the government and avail of social security pensions will face full recovery of the amount in a time-bound manner and will henceforth be ineligible for any benefit (including social security pension) from the government”.
Published – December 14, 2024 07:36 pm IST
