Govt orders statewide probe into welfare schemes

This is the first time that a statewide probe is being conducted into the welfare schemes since they were launched in 1980s and 1990s.

The government disburses over Rs 2,200 crore under the welfare scheme head for various departments like Social Welfare department,Women and Child Development department and the Directorate of SC/ST Welfare.

Maximum irregularities have been reported in the old-age pension scheme,whereby a monthly amount of Rs 300 is given to people over 60 years who are in the BPL list.

In the last three months,at least 28 districts have reported large-scale anomalies,where either the beneficiaries were dead but the pension was still being drawn or under-age people were being given pension through fraudulent methods. Action has been taken against gram pradhans,district social welfare officers and bank officials.

“Since the time the disbursement of pension for the first quarter began in July,we have been receiving complaints from districts in eastern and central UP,” said Ram Bahadur,Director of Social Welfare.

After Sitapur,districts like Hardoi,Banda,Jhansi,Akbarpur and others have reported similar problems,he said. “While in some places,we are sending our own teams headed by our joint directors,in the others,the chief development officers have been asked to obtain reports through physical verification and open meetings of gram sabhas,” he added.

In the widow pension scheme,anomalies have been reported from around 15 districts. Under this scheme,the Department of Women and Child Development gives Rs 300 per month to widows in the BPL list. But there have been reports of married women and those who are not in the BPL list receiving the pension. No major action has been taken so far.

The pension for the disabled is given by the Department of Disabled Welfare. This scheme entitles a differently abled person,who is certified by a government doctor,a monthly pension of Rs 300.

So far,irregularities have been reported from 11 districts and the department has asked the district disabled welfare officers and the administration to ensure re-examination of the beneficiaries.

Other welfare schemes include a grant of Rs 25,000 for the marriage of girls from BPL families,a monthly scholarship ranging between Rs 600 to Rs 2,000 to SC/ST students from senior secondary level to technical education and a grant of Rs 15,000 for widow remarriage.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shailesh Krishna,who is also the Principal Secretary of Disabled Welfare,said once all the reports are received,the state government will take action.

“We are issuing notices and getting internal probes done. Once we have the final reports with us,we will initiate legal actions against those found guilty,” said Krishna.

Schemes under scanner
* Old-age pension
* Widow pension
* Widow remarriage support
* Monetary support for the marriage of girls from economically backward families
* Pension for the disabled
* Scholarships to SC/ST students