NT Reporter Panaji
The Data Analytical Cell of the Finance Department has been tasked with identifying Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) beneficiaries engaged in business activities, said Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai in the state legislative assembly, on Monday.
Responding to a question raised by MLA Viresh Borkar, Phal Dessai said, “The department also checked if beneficiaries were receiving benefits from other government schemes or if both spouses were availing benefits separately.”
He said the exercise revealed 4,560 ineligible beneficiaries. In total, payments to 14,560 beneficiaries were either stopped or put on hold pending further inquiry.
He said delays in monthly payments were caused due to the updating of survey data in the system, but assured that efforts were underway to ensure timely disbursements in the future.
“To recover wrongly credited funds, the department has taken recovery action, with Rs 58.19 crore recovered and credited to the state treasury,” said Phal Dessai, adding that 10,600 letters were sent to banks requesting refunds of amounts lying in the accounts of deceased beneficiaries.
He said deleting 14,560 names has saved approximately Rs 3 crore per month, creating space for new beneficiaries, with the total cap now fixed at 1,40,000 beneficiaries.
