A major fraud has been uncovered in the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Mainiya Samman Yojana (JMMSY) in Latehar. Initially, 1.48 lakh beneficiaries were selected, but after an investigation, 42,432 were found to be ineligible and subsequently removed from the list.
The inquiry revealed that several government employees and affluent individuals were wrongfully availing benefits under this scheme. The district administration's investigation exposed that teachers, police personnel, pensioners, Anganwadi workers, and contractual employees were among those misusing the scheme.
The number of fake beneficiaries identified in different blocks is as follows: Balumath - 7,078, Latehar - 7,038, Latehar city - 1,513, Bariatu - 2,954, Barwadih - 4,803, Chandwa - 5,072, Garu - 1,559, Herhanj - 2,348, Mahuadanr - 4,417, Manika - 4,963, and Saryu - 687.
The investigation also found that the scheme's beneficiaries included spouses of police officers, government pensioners, teachers, health assistants, and other government employees. Among them were government pensioner Anupama Toppo from Mahuadanr, para teacher Bilasi Devi from Herhanj, police officer's wife Vimala Devi from Gadgoma, welfare department employee Noor Jahan from Chandwa, and health assistant Kavita Devi from Latehar.
The district administration has emphasised that strict action will be taken against those involved in these irregularities. Meanwhile, Rs 122 crore has been allocated for the scheme, and stringent verification processes will continue to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the aid.
Following the distribution of funds in December 2024, the government had instructed all districts to verify the recipients. To qualify for the scheme, beneficiaries were required to be residents of Jharkhand and possess an Aadhaar card, voter ID, ration card, and an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Until December, the requirement for an Aadhaar-linked account was waived, but from January onwards, it became mandatory.
Despite this, many beneficiaries still do not have their bank accounts linked to Aadhaar. In response, the department has proposed transferring funds based on ration card verification. So far, over 40 lakh ration cards have been verified across the state.