Return Gruha Lakshmi Aid Credited To Deceased Beneficiaries: Mundodi

Mangaluru: After it emerged that Rs 3.34 crore had been credited under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme to 3,477 deceased beneficiaries in Dakshina Kannada district, district-level Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee chairman Bharath Mundodi on Tuesday directed to recover the money and return it to the government.

Presiding over a review meeting of guarantee schemes at the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Mundodi said information received from the scheme's central office showed that payments had continued to be credited to the accounts of beneficiaries even after their death.

He instructed officials and taluk-level committee heads to conduct a detailed verification and take steps to remove deceased beneficiaries from the scheme rolls.

He said timely action would help prevent wastage of government funds and ensure that benefits reach only eligible recipients.

During the meeting, concerns were also raised over the delay in opening a fair price shop at Arkula under the Anna Bhagya scheme. Mundodi directed officials to treat the issue on priority and take steps to resolve it at the earliest.

He also instructed authorities to ensure proper distribution of rice through the public distribution system and said beneficiaries should receive their entitled quantity without irregularities.

Referring to public transport services, Mundodi stressed the need for drivers and conductors to treat passengers with courtesy. He suggested that newly recruited staff be given orientation on public service responsibilities and passenger interaction.

The committee chairman further directed officials to explore employment opportunities for beneficiaries who have been receiving assistance under the Yuva Nidhi scheme for the past two years.