Thiruvananthapuram: The Soil Survey and Soil Conservation Department under the Kerala government has suspended six employees for illegally availing themselves of the monthly welfare pension (social security pension) meant for senior citizens, widows, and the differently abled. The department issued an order suspending the six employees pending an inquiry. The action was taken under the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1960.

According to the order issued by the department director, Saju K Surendran IES, immediate action will be taken to recover the full amount along with 18 per cent interest from these illegal recipients. The move follows the state government's directive to take strict action against government employees who are fraudulently receiving welfare pensions.

A recent inspection revealed that 1,458 government employees, including gazetted officials, were receiving social security pensions. The fraud was uncovered during an inspection conducted by the Information Kerala Mission, which followed an audit by the Finance Department. The audit discovered significant irregularities in pension distribution within Malappuram’s Kottakkal municipality. It was found that some pension recipients owned luxury assets, such as BMW cars, and lived in air-conditioned houses in the municipality.

On December 12, the state government issued an order instructing local bodies to recover the misappropriated pension funds with 18 per cent interest from the ineligible recipients. Additionally, officials involved in facilitating the illegal disbursement will face departmental action.

The Kerala government has established strict eligibility criteria for welfare pension schemes to ensure they benefit only those in genuine need. Eligibility requirements include a family income of less than Rs one lakh per year and the absence of luxury assets such as high-capacity vehicles or large, modern homes. Individuals receiving multiple pensions, paying income tax, or residing in care homes are also considered ineligible.

The Finance Minister emphasised that stringent measures will be taken against those committing fraud to obtain social security pensions intended for the economically disadvantaged.