KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 27 (MExN): Following irregularities detected through RTI in the disbursement of National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) grants to beneficiaries in Mokokchung district during 2014-15, the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLA) today informed that the department made a thorough investigation and the erring officers for the bogus beneficiaries made rectification.
It may be noted that the irregularities were detected by two para-legal volunteers, ST Yapang Lkr and Odi Jamir and made public through the media on January 15, 2018.
The First Appellate Authority, Directorate of Social Welfare Department held a hearing on the matter on February 15 and informed that the amount was returned to the Directorate and where less payment was made, the amount was made in full.
An amount of Rs. 80,000 for four beneficiaries- two from Longkhum Village and two from Chungtia village drawn against fictitious names of deceased persons was returned to the Directorate.
To those eight beneficiaries given Rs. 10,000 each and four beneficiaries not paid at all, the defaulting officers and staff recovered the due amount to the deprived beneficiaries and obtained acknowledgment receipt.
It may be noted that families living below the poverty line are entitled to get financial benefits of Rs. 20,000 after the death of the sole breadwinner (male/female) under the NFBS. Any kind of death (Natural or Accidental) will make the family eligible for this assistance.
