Scores of elderly persons remain out of social safety net as ghost beneficiaries have entered the list to avail of old age pension in the district here. It is due to the apathy of the administration and corrupt people’s representatives and officials that rich people have allegedly grabbed the pension benefits, according to reports. In Birmaharajpur block, the names of dead people allegedly figure in the list of beneficiaries under pension scheme, while several genuine beneficiaries have been left out.Citing examples, Kenjhiripali Sarpanch Santosh Padhan complained to Collector Dasirathi Satpathy that Tebha Mahananda of Achanda village village who had died in 2014 was getting old-age pension till February 8, 2017. Hrushi Sethi of Amatpali village, who had died in 2016 was availing pension benefit till March 9, 2017. Another dead man, Ramchandra Bagati of Rugudaipali village, who died in 2015 got pension till the end of 2016.He also alleged that many beneficiaries namely Tulsi Nayak of Puleswar village, Kashi Sethi, Swadesi Guru,Pankaj Guru and Tala Kalte of Telipali village, Kumari Kansari, lalu Naik of Achanda village, Bhikari Barik of Khairmal village, Uma Sahu of Hirapali village and Dirjugiri Bagarty of Jatiapali village got pension after death. The locals alleged that in most panchayats of Birmaharajpur block, the beneficiaries are getting old-age pension after death. They demanded a through probe into the matter.
When contacted, Birmaharajpur BDO Sachhitananda Hanuman assured that if ghost names were detected, action would be taken.