Government should reveal the names of culprits in welfare pension misappropriation: VD Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan has demanded that the government should reveal the names of those who have received social security pensions while in service. In a letter sent  to the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, he said that if the names are not disclosed, even honest officials will be under a cloud of suspicion.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had previously found that ineligible individuals were included in the social security pension list. The government had informed the CAG that corrective measures would be taken, but no action has been taken, which the Opposition Leader pointed out as surprising in the letter.

From the letter sent to CM and FM 

The finding that 1,458 government employees, including those with gazetted ranks, as well as affluent individuals with luxury cars, are on the list of social security pension recipients is a matter of grave concern. The CAG's report submitted in September 2023 had also found that ineligible people were included in the list of social security pensioners. The government had assured the CAG that corrective actions would be taken. However, no action has been taken, which is truly astonishing.

If the government had cross-checked the payroll software with the social security pension software, the fraud could have been detected. Yet, the government wasted two valuable years.

The government must release the names of those receiving social security pensions while still employed. Otherwise, even the honest officials will fall under suspicion. The exposure of such irregularities should not affect the distribution of social security pensions. Pension arrears should be cleared immediately. The situation should not lead to an overall vilification of government employees due to a few ineligible individuals receiving pensions. Their rightful entitlements should not be denied due to this issue.

The CAG report also highlighted serious shortcomings in the software used for welfare pension distribution. The government is urged to take immediate action to address these issues.