PANAJI: The latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) tabled in the State Assembly on Wednesday speaks of a major flaw in Goa's much-hyped Dayanand social security scheme.

Under the scheme, a monthly pension of Rs. 500 is provided to all senior citizens, widows and physically challenged who have no source of income.

The report points out that over 30 per cent of the beneficiaries of the scheme do not qualify to be included under it, which has resulted in Rs. 6.98 crores being paid to "non-genuine beneficiaries."

The reports relating to the audit of the financial transactions of the State for the year ending March 31, 2004, states that the state's Social Welfare Department, which implemented the scheme, did not ensure adoption of proper systems and internal controls.

The first phase of the scheme was implemented through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). The report says that the Government paid much more than what was disbursed as pension by the LIC. Besides, the LIC did not honour the provisions of the scheme regarding extending the benefits to the surviving members of the families of deceased pensioners, it adds.

The report quotes the findings of a survey by an agency appointed by the State Government to verify the claims of the beneficiaries, which reveals that of the 40,818 beneficiaries covered by the survey, only 28,979 are genuine beneficiaries. The pension paid to over 11,800 non-genuine beneficiaries till June, 2004, totals to Rs. 6.98 crores, the report says.

The scheme was introduced during the tenure of the erstwhile BJP Government.

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