Dehradun, February 21 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday approved action against individuals who were found drawing government pensions along with benefits under various social welfare pension schemes after retiring from government service.
The chief minister directed that the pensions of such beneficiaries be discontinued and legal proceedings be initiated against them. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and asked officials to hold individuals accountable at every level.
Dhami issued strict instructions to ensure that the benefits of public welfare schemes in the state reach eligible individuals and that there be no negligence in their implementation.
The chief minister said that the use of benefits such as old age and widow pensions under social security schemes by state government pensioners is against the rules. He also directed officials to take action against those found guilty after a thorough investigation of such cases and to work vigilantly to prevent such recurrence in the future.
A recent data analysis by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) related to government pensions in Uttarakhand uncovered alleged irregularities, revealing that 1,377 people in the state were receiving double pension benefits.
Following this, all districts were asked to send a list of ineligible individuals for verification.