Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has recovered Rs 1.60 crore from hundreds of women who had improperly availed benefits under the Griha Aadhar scheme, officials said, as part of an ongoing effort to prevent misuse of public funds.
The recoveries, carried out by the Department of Women and Child Development, targeted 304 beneficiaries who continued receiving monthly assistance despite being ineligible. The scheme provides Rs 1,500 per month to women with an annual income below Rs 3 lakh.
In 2019, the government revised eligibility rules to exclude women in government employment, as well as those whose spouses are regular government employees. However, a departmental survey later revealed widespread violations, with over 3,000 women continuing to receive payments despite falling under the exclusion criteria.
Officials said the recovery drive involved issuing notices to beneficiaries, requesting documentation such as appointment letters, employment details, and income proofs including Form 16 or salary slips dating back to when the benefits were first granted.
“Action against other ineligible beneficiaries will follow. We are recovering the funds with interest,” a government source said, signaling a strict stance against misuse of welfare schemes.
