Multi-crore old-age pension scam unearthed in Uttar Pradesh

BAHRAICH - A multi-crore old-age pension scam has been unearthed in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, an official spokesman disclosed here Monday.

This followed a probe ordered by the district magistrate who received a series of complaints about bungling in disbursement of old-age pension. The pension was disbursed at the rate of Rs.300 per month as part of the government social security programme.

“Of the 86,035 registered old-age pensioners in this district, only 65,920 people were found to be genuine, while 17,419 were either fake or ineligible people who had managed to get it fraudulently,” district social welfare officer R.P. Singh told reporters in Bahraich.

“Significantly, as many as 2,441 dead people were found to be receiving this pension,” he said.

While the state government Monday ordered immediate suspension of former district social welfare officer Pragya Shankar Tripathi, the official axe was likely to fall on several other departmental officials.