Rs 12 lakh embezzled: Panchayat in Kurupam gives pensions to dead
Visakhapatnam: A social audit has exposed a major fraud in Neelakantapuram Panchayat Secretariat in Kurupam mandal of Manyam district. It noticed an embezzlement of Rs 12 lakh in the distribution of social welfare pensions. Records showed pensions were “distributed” in the name of a lot of deceased individuals.
The social audit that was carried out for ten days reviewed the distribution of pensions in 23 panchayats of Kurupam mandal and uncovered the irregularities in Neelakantapuram. The findings were reported at a forum organised by MGNRGA PD Ramachandra Rao.
The audit revealed that Rs 6,93,000 in pensions was deposited through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for 39 deceased individuals. A total of Rs 36,000 was issued to the wives of a branch postmaster (the branch postmaster has two wives). Volunteers gave Rs 4.52 lakh directly to the homes of 16 deceased pensioners.
State resource person B Dasu, who led the social audit, told Deccan Chronicle, “The panchayat members responsible for issuing death certificates committed these irregularities. A total discrepancy in pension funds amounting to Rs 11,88,000 was found.”
“The return of the Rs 6,93,000 deposited through DBT to the government is possible and must be attempted at. The payments made to the branch postmaster's wives and the alleged disbursements to 16 deceased pensioners are difficult to recover. We, instead, asked the errant panchayat members to return this money."
Similar situations were reported in Neelakantapuram Panchayat during the 10th social audit in 2017. Locals also indicated widespread negligence in the execution and maintenance of records pertaining to the MGNREG Scheme. A comprehensive report on the social audit, outlining the observed deficiencies and inconsistencies, will be forwarded to the District Rural Development Agency, Basu said.
