PANAJI
The Goa government has recovered Rs 1.60 crore from hundreds of Griha Aadhar beneficiaries who had improperly availed themselves of a welfare scheme meant for low-income women, officials said, in what is emerging as a significant crackdown on misuse of public funds.
Government sources said that the recoveries, made by the Department of Women and Child Development, were effected from 304 beneficiaries who had continued to draw benefits under the scheme despite being ineligible.
The scheme provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women with an annual income of less than Rs 3 lakh.
In 2019, the State government tightened eligibility rules, excluding women employed in government service as well as those whose husbands are regular government employees.
Yet a subsequent departmental survey found that the exclusions had been widely flouted. More than 3,000 women, either government employees themselves or married to one, were found to have continued receiving payments under the scheme.
Officials said the findings prompted a recovery drive, with notices issued to beneficiaries asking them to furnish proof of their or their spouse’s employment status. The documentation sought included appointment letters, details of designation and occupation, and income records such as Form 16 or salary slips dating back to when the benefits were first sanctioned.
“Action against others would follow. We are recovering the funds with interest,” the source said.
