Multiple transfers were made to beneficiaries with same names
Shillong, Feb 28: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has exposed multiple payments to allegedly same individuals in implementation of labour welfare schemes in Meghalaya, leading to excess payments and deprivation of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
In its report on Social and Economic Sectors and Urban Local Bodies 2022-23, the CAG revealed multiple transfers were made to beneficiaries with same names, including 4 transfers in 15 cases, 3 transfers in 60 cases, and 2 transfers in 381 cases.
The CAG report was tabled by chief minister Conrad K Sangma in the Assembly on Friday.
Meanwhile, the CAG also found that 156 beneficiaries were deprived of Rs 4.68 lakh in maternity benefits, despite being approved for the scheme.
“Maternity benefits of only 147 beneficiaries involving an amount of Rs 4.41 lakh were credited in their respective bank accounts,” the report states.
The Labour department has not provided reasons for the non-transfer of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
The CAG further revealed that 64 beneficiaries were deprived of Rs 1.28 crore in death benefits, despite the Board sanctioning the amount.
“The Board stated that the 64 beneficiaries did not have proper documents and that the claims will be reprocessed on receipt of the required documents,” the report states.
The CAG also found that the cash award scheme for meritorious children of beneficiaries was not implemented effectively, with none of the 12 applicants receiving benefits due to lack of clear guidelines.
“The Welfare Board did not formulate clear guidelines regarding eligibility of the applicants… No IEC activity was conducted to make the registered labourers aware about the scheme,” the report states.
The Labour department has not provided clarifications on the CAG’s queries, raising concerns over the implementation of labour welfare schemes in the state.
