Thanks to Ajit Panchwadkar, the former Director of Social Welfare Department, in 2024 the beneficiaries of Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) were identified and grouped as ‘genuine,’ ‘doubtful,’ ‘expired,’ ‘house not traceable,’ and ‘migrated.’ During the first survey in Oct 2024, it was found that 4,000 of 26,000 beneficiaries aged 80 years and above, were either untraceable or dead, but continued to get the DSSS dole. During the 2nd phase, those between 75 and 80 years were vetted. From these two phases the govt recovered nearly Rs 50 crore. Later surveys were to cover those from 70-75, 65-70 and 60-65 years. The 3rd phase (70-75 years) was to start in September 2025 followed by the other two, but the surveys have been stopped. The reasons, doled out by the present Director, are lack of manpower and upcoming census (in 2027). Cannot the govt recruit people for 6-8 months to complete the remaining surveys, from the recovered money? Perhaps, the govt has an inkling that there are more ineligible people between 60 and 75 years who might be ‘enjoying’ the DSSS grant and thinks it's better not to stir the hornet’s nest till 2027 when elections are due in Goa.
