People with BMW cars, luxury mansions illegally availing social security pensions

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The finance department was flummoxed learning that even people owning BMW cars and luxury mansions were illegally drawing social security pensions. The department has thus taken strict measures into the issue. Finance Minister KN Balagopal has directed a vigilance inquiry against the officials who were involved in the pension fraud in the Kottakkal Municipal Corporation.

Officers who conducted the inquiry regarding the pension entitlement, the revenue officers who issued the income certificate and the officers who sanctioned the pension will come under scrutiny. The Finance Department also directed to report the further steps taken in connection with the investigation. Also, the investigation progress will be evaluated every month.

In an eligibility search conducted in the 7th ward of the Kottakkal municipality of Malappuram district, 38 of the 42 beneficiaries were found to be ineligible. Officers were nonplussed finding out that even people owning BMW cars, and houses with elite facilities including two air conditioners were benefiting from the social security pension. Social security pension was also reaching people who have spouses drawing service pensions. Many of them have their houses situated in more than 2000 square feet of floor area.

The inspection department of the finance department doubts a big conspiracy and corruption behind the pension fraud. The department expects to unearth more such irregularities in the coming days. It is believed that the number of government employees who have stolen social security pensions will exceed ten thousand. This has also resulted in a Rs 50 crore loss to the state exchequer this year.

In the inspection conducted by Information Kerala Mission, 1458 employees were found to have committed fraud. In three years, they illegally received 8.40 crore rupees.