Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 3: The Karnataka government has intensified efforts to recover Gruhalakshmi scheme funds deposited into the bank accounts of deceased beneficiaries in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district. So far, Rs 95.32 lac has been refunded to the government account from 951 bank accounts, achieving 28.47% of the targeted recovery, according to the Women and Child Development Department.

A total of 11,184 beneficiaries of the Gruhalakshmi scheme have been identified as having died in the district. Following the possibility that scheme funds continued to be deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries, the Women and Child Development Department conducted field-level verification and identified 3,477 deceased beneficiaries. It was found that a total of Rs 3.34 crore had been deposited into their accounts after their deaths.

Of this amount, Rs 51.50 lac has been frozen in banks, while Rs 95.32 lac has already been refunded to the government account. So far, the recovery process has been completed from the bank accounts of 951 beneficiaries, recording 28.47% progress.

Following reports from across the state that Gruhalakshmi funds were being deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries, the government initiated verification. Accordingly, the Women and Child Development Department is collecting information about deceased beneficiaries at the grassroots level and entering the details into the Gruhalakshmi portal. The objective is to prevent funds from being deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries in the coming months.

The department has identified the failure to obtain death certificates, particularly in rural areas, as one of the factors contributing to the problem. It has also found that the failure to record death information on the e-Janma portal is another reason why Gruhalakshmi funds continue to be deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries.

There is also a possibility that after the funds were deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries, the money may have been withdrawn by their family members or others. In view of this, the department plans to obtain further information from the district lead bank and take further action with the cooperation of the Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee.

“The process of stopping Gruhalakshmi funds from being deposited into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries is underway. In future, information about deaths occurring in villages will be obtained immediately through Anganwadi workers and entered into the Gruhalakshmi portal. This will help prevent the misuse of government funds,” said Sridhar, Deputy Director of the Women and Child Welfare Department.

In Dakshina Kannada, 11,184 deceased beneficiaries have been identified, of whom 3,477 were found to have received Gruhalakshmi funds after their deaths. A total of Rs 3.34 crore was deposited after their deaths, Rs 51.50 lac has been frozen in banks and Rs 95.32 lac has been refunded to the government. The recovery progress stands at 28.47%.

In Bantwal taluk, 2,286 deaths were recorded, with 747 deceased beneficiaries found to have received funds after their deaths. A sum of Rs 15.22 lac has been refunded, involving 102 beneficiaries. In Beltangady, 1,688 deaths were recorded, 549 beneficiaries received funds after their deaths, Rs 10,41,906 has been refunded and 75 beneficiaries have made the repayment.

In Kadaba, 724 deaths were recorded, with 225 beneficiaries receiving funds after their deaths. Rs 7,52,264 has been refunded by 57 beneficiaries. In Mangaluru North, 1,660 deaths were recorded and 472 beneficiaries received funds after their deaths. Rs 22,000 has been refunded, with 284 beneficiaries involved in the repayment.

In Mangaluru Rural, 741 deaths were recorded, with 221 beneficiaries receiving funds after their deaths. Rs 6.80 lac has been refunded by 95 beneficiaries. In Moodbidri, 626 deaths were recorded and 205 beneficiaries received funds after their deaths. Rs 1.28 lac has been refunded by 16 beneficiaries.

In Mulki, 487 deaths were recorded, with 136 beneficiaries receiving funds after their deaths. Rs 26,000 has been refunded by 38 beneficiaries. In Puttur, 1,033 deaths were recorded and 321 beneficiaries received funds after their deaths. Rs 12,34,965 has been refunded by 91 beneficiaries.

In Sullia, 772 deaths were recorded, with 232 beneficiaries receiving funds after their deaths. Rs 10,63,971 has been refunded by 132 beneficiaries. In Ullal, 1,167 deaths were recorded and 369 beneficiaries received funds after their deaths. Rs 1,43,20,000 has been refunded by 61 beneficiaries.