Haryana govt to deal strictly with irregularities in pensions

Chandigarh, Feb 21 (PTI) Haryana government todaygave warned that irregularities in disbursing pension underseveral social welfare schemes, especially old-age pension,would be sternly dealt with.

Ineligible persons drawing pension should not only bemade liable for recovery but also punished sternly, anofficial spokesman said here.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had decided todisburse old-age pension through banks so that thedisbursement system is transparent.

However, in some of the cases irregularities had come tolight and action had been initiated against guilty officers inthe districts of Karnal, Jhajjar, Kaithal and Kurukshetra.

The death rate in the state was low and the number ofpensioners under the scheme was rising.

There were about 21 lakh beneficiaries covered under old-age pension in the state. The information of about 14.15 lakhbeneficiaries had been uploaded on the website of the SocialJustice Department, out of which 8.29 lakh had been integratedwith the banks and they were disbursed pension directlythrough banks.