PANAJI
The Department of Social Welfare has discontinued benefits to 499 persons enrolled as “beneficiaries” in the Dayanand Social Security (DSS) scheme following an inquiry that uncovered their active involvement in business activities within the tourism sector.
According to the scheme conditions, beneficiaries must have an annual income limit of Rs 24,000 or below to remain eligible for this government benefit.
In the wake of this revelation by the Data Analytical Cell of the Finance Department, the Social Welfare Department stopped releasing the benefit starting this month and will soon initiate the recovery process by imposing an eight per cent interest rate.
Director Ajit Panchwadkar told The Goan that a thorough examination of the list involving persons engaged in tourism activities revealed that 499 owned hotels, shacks, boats, etc while simultaneously taking the benefit, which otherwise is meant for the destitute category.
“The government found these 499 people got benefits they shouldn’t have. They suppressed the truth... We have thus stopped them from availing benefits and will soon ask them to explain through a show-cause notice. Recovery process with an 8 per cent interest amount will be levied on them,” he said.
The department acknowledges that some of these illegal beneficiaries could be doing better economically after their enrolment as DSS beneficiaries. “However, nothing stops them from voluntarily approaching the department to discontinue availing the scheme,” the officer added.
The department anticipates a growing list of illegal beneficiaries, as DAC is also scrutinising the registered traders in other sectors such as the Excise and Fisheries. “Our intention is not to just discontinue benefits for these wrongly availing beneficiaries but also create a space for genuine ones. It’s a healthy process to ensure public money goes to the right person and there is accountability,” Panchwadkar added.
To bring transparency to the DSS scheme, the department recently mandated the linking of Aadhaar cards with beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Those who have not complied with this requirement within the stipulated three-month period will face discontinuation of financial benefits.
Social Welfare Department has appealed to people above the prescribed income limit to voluntarily withdraw from the scheme.
While some hide information, some voluntarily withdraw
PANAJI: While some hide information from the government, some others have willingly chosen to withdraw from the scheme. In a recent instance, a woman beneficiary, who had illegally received benefits totalling around Rs 3 lakh, submitted a cheque for around Rs 2 lakh to the Social Welfare Department and requested time to repay the remaining amount.
The department has further adopted a compassionate approach towards illegal beneficiaries with the director indicating that recovery will take place through different installments.
