Welfare pension fraud: Kerala govt suspends 38 employees
Among the suspended officials, 34 are from the Revenue Department, while four are from the Survey and Land Records Department.
Among the suspended officials, 34 are from the Revenue Department, while four are from the Survey and Land Records Department.
Among the suspended officials, 34 are from the Revenue Department, while four are from the Survey and Land Records Department.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has suspended 38 employees for fraudulently obtaining welfare pensions (social security pensions) intended for senior citizens, widows, and differently-abled individuals. Among the suspended officials, 34 are from the Revenue Department, while four are from the Survey and Land Records Department.
On Thursday, the Revenue Additional Secretary issued an order suspending the employees. The order listed the names of the employees and the amounts they had received. The Land Revenue Commissioner and the Director of the Survey and Land Records Department have been instructed to recover the full amount, with 18 per cent interest, from the 38 employees.
Apart from revenue department, the general administration, health, and soil conservation departments have also taken action against employees who illegally received 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 by the Information Kerala Mission, following an audit by the Finance Department. The audit highlighted significant irregularities in pension distribution within Malappuram’s Kottakkal municipality. It was discovered that some pension recipients owned luxury assets, such as BMW cars, and lived in air-conditioned houses in the municipality.
On December 12, 2024, the state government issued an order directing 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. Finance Minister KN Balagopal declared that stringent measures will be taken against individuals committing fraud to obtain social security pensions intended for economically disadvantaged groups.
The Kerala government had imposed 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 deemed ineligible.