35-yr-old former mukhiya in Garhwa availed old-age pension

Garhwa: Financial irregularities in disbursement of old-age pension scheme has come to light in Garhwa’s Ramkanda block recently. The irregularities surfaced during a probe ordered by the district social security department. The investigation has revealed that monthly pension was still being credited to 31 beneficiaries, who had passed away long ago. Likewise, a 35-year-old woman was also benefiting from the scheme.
Chandrawat Devi (35), the former mukhiya of Chete panchayat of Ramkanda block, allegedly manipulated her Aadhaar card and changed her age to 65 years to avail the pension. Deputy director of social security department Subodh Kumar had instructed Ramkanda BDO Ramji Verma to verify the age of Chandrawat.
When the BDO checked the electoral roll and original copy of her Aadhaar card, her actual age was revealed. Kumar said: “Based on the BDO’s report, the payment of all ineligible beneficiaries of old-age pension scheme has been stopped with immediate effect and recovery of money is underway. Moreover, the banks concerned will be contacted for recovery of money from the accounts of the dead persons.”