Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking development, it has been discovered that as many as 1,458 government employees in Kerala are unlawfully receiving social security pensions. This malpractice was identified during an audit conducted by the Information Kerala Mission, as per the directives of the Finance Department. The report states that even gazetted officers, including college assistant professors and higher secondary teachers, are among those fraudulently claiming the pensions.

The Health Department tops the list, with 373 employees receiving social security pensions, followed by the General Education Department with 224 employees. In the Medical Education Department, 124 individuals were found to be beneficiaries, while the Indian Systems of Medicine Department has 114 such cases. Other departments with significant numbers include the Animal Husbandry Department (74), Public Works Department (47) and Technical Education Department (46).

Among the identified fraud cases are two assistant professors — one employed at a government college in Thiruvananthapuram and the other in Palakkad. Three higher secondary teachers are also reported to be claiming pensions.

The department-wise breakdown 

  • Homeopathy: 41 employees
  • Agriculture and Revenue Departments: 35 employees each
  • Judiciary and Social Justice Department: 34 employees
  • Insurance Medical Services Department: 31 employees
  • Collegiate Education Department: 27 employees

Smaller numbers were found in various other departments, such as:

  • Sales Tax: 14 employees
  • Scheduled Caste Welfare: 13 employees
  • Rural Development, Police, PSC, Ayurvedic Medical Education: 10 employees each
  • Cooperation: 8 employees
  • Forest and Wildlife: 9 employees
  • Fisheries, Soil Survey: 6 employees each

Other departments with isolated cases include Local Governance, Motor Vehicles, Industries and Commerce, Fire Force, Dairy Development and several others.

Meanwhile, the Finance Department has directed the recovery of unlawfully claimed pension amounts, including interest. Strict disciplinary action has also been ordered against the offenders by Finance Minister K N Balagopal.
Further investigations are set to continue to identify and remove ineligible beneficiaries, while ensuring rightful recipients receive their pensions promptly, according to sources within the Finance Department.