Social welfare pension fraud; govt orders recovery of pension amounts from ineligible individuals with 18 percent penalty interest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Finance Department has decided to take strict action against government employees who illegally obtained social welfare pensions. The Finance Department has issued an order to recover the pension amounts obtained by these ineligible individuals along with an 18 per cent penalty interest. Additional Chief Secretary Dr A. Jayathilak issued the directive in this regard.

The order also instructs departmental action against officials who facilitated or negligently allowed the disbursement of social security pensions to ineligible individuals. It emphasizes that ensuring that the social welfare pensions, meant as support for the economically disadvantaged, reach only those who are truly eligible, and preventing misuse by ineligible recipients, is essential for the financial integrity of the government. According to reports, many ineligible recipients of social welfare pensions are individuals with disabilities who are employed in government services. Despite getting into service, some deliberately continue to receive social welfare pensions without formally opting out.