Govt to clamp down on ‘pension wolves’
The Delhi Government has launched a massive drive for verification of beneficiaries of the old-age pension scheme for the age group of 60-70 years in an effort to curb irregularities. The move is aimed at checking ‘pension wolves’ as in the past many beneficiaries did not possess relevant documents and thus, disbursement of pension was discontinued. The verification will be done by social welfare department officials who will go door-to-door to verify the credentials of the beneficiarie.
The Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department Satbir Bedi has asked all districts to submit the reports of their verification drive at the Social Welfare directorate by September 30. “In the age group of 60-69 years, there were 1, 80,000 people availing the scheme. However, last year, during verification around 40,000 were found non-existent and thus, were discontinued. This verification drive has been launched to check the credentials of 2,80,000 people above the age of 70 years. Our officials will go from door-to-door to check all the relevant documents justifying their claim for old-age pension,” Bedi said.
According to Bedi, a verification report is likely to be submitted by September 30. In Delhi, an old-age pension of Rs 1,000 per month is provided to the age group (60-69 years) and Rs 1,500 is given to those above 70 years. Elderly belonging to the SC/ST category get Rs 500 as an additional amount.
“Several Government pensioners (ex-employees of Government, quasi-Government, autonomous bodies) drawing pensionary benefits (his/her own or that of spouse) or family pensions are also availing the above-mentioned pensions. All such persons are hereby notified to get their assistance cancelled and reimburse the money remitted to them,” Bedi said. “If such persons are identified during the verification exercise, appropriate penal and legal action under the will be taken against such persons,” Bedi added.