NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) has come under scrutiny following revelations in a recent report by the Comptroller Auditor General of India. The report sheds light on concerning financial mismanagement within the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), spanning the period from 2017-18 to 2020-21.

The audit uncovered alarming instances where the MORD continued disbursing pension payments, totaling a staggering Rs 2 crore, to 2,103 beneficiaries under the NSAP across 26 states and Union Territories. Shockingly, these payments persisted even after the recipients had passed away. Such irregularities have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the NSAP and its oversight.

One particularly disconcerting finding was the diversion of funds, amounting to Rs 2.83 crore, from the NSAP for purposes of publicity and campaign initiatives. These actions have sparked concerns over the responsible allocation of funds earmarked for the NSAP, which includes crucial old age pension schemes.

According to the NSAP guidelines, the pension payments should be terminated promptly upon the beneficiary's death, migration, or crossing the Below Poverty Line (BPL) threshold. Additionally, the responsible local bodies, such as gram panchayats and municipalities, are obligated to report any beneficiary deaths to the designated Sanctioning Authority. Regrettably, this process was not adhered to in a timely manner across several regions.

A lack of timely reporting by gram panchayats and municipalities regarding beneficiary deaths was especially noticeable in 23 states and Union Territories, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, and many others. The failure to report these deaths resulted in the continuation of pension payments to deceased individuals, a situation that highlights significant flaws in the management of the NSAP.

In the state of West Bengal alone, 453 beneficiaries received a total of Rs 83.27 lakh, while in Gujarat, 413 beneficiaries were paid Rs 11.83 lakh, and 250 beneficiaries in Tripura received Rs 1.83 lakh—all of which occurred after their demise. This mismanagement also came to light during beneficiary surveys, where it was found that 290 out of 8,461 beneficiaries were still receiving pension payments despite having passed away.

To address these issues and prevent the continuation of pension payments after beneficiaries' deaths, the report recommends implementing measures such as the submission of life certificates. This would ensure accurate and up-to-date records, safeguarding the integrity of the NSAP and the funds it disburses.

Furthermore, the CAG report highlights the concerning diversion of funds from the NSAP for publicity campaigns. The original purpose of these funds was to provide much-needed pension support to eligible recipients. Instead, a portion was reallocated for promotional activities related to other government programs.

In light of these findings, it is crucial for the Ministry of Rural Development to take immediate action. Transparent and effective management of the NSAP funds, along with strict adherence to guidelines regarding pension disbursement, is paramount to ensuring the program's success in supporting vulnerable individuals and maintaining financial accountability.

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