Dead Seniors, Active Accounts! Punjab Government Tightens Noose on ₹252 Crore 'Death Pension' Scam!

Punjab News: In a bold administrative move, the Punjab government has identified 67,852 deceased pensioners under its ongoing verification survey. Nearly ₹252 crore had accumulated in their accounts due to outdated records and lack of oversight. Of this, ₹166 crore has already been recovered by the department in collaboration with district social security officers and banking partners. Authorities confirmed that the campaign was initiated after alarming reports about wrongful payments surfaced during internal audits. The initiative aims to protect the dignity of genuine elderly citizens while ensuring transparency in disbursement. This has also raised accountability benchmarks for welfare departments across the nation.

Campaign With A Moral Compass

Titled 'Sadde Buzurg, Sadda Maan', the scheme reflects a rare blend of administrative vigilance and cultural empathy. Rather than turning it into a mere audit exercise, officials have tried to convey respect for the elderly. The campaign positions pension recovery not as punishment but as correction — one that restores rightful benefits to living and deserving individuals. The campaign was carried out through door-to-door surveys involving Anganwadi supervisors and block-level officers. It not only filtered out the ineligible names but also verified the health and well-being of current beneficiaries. This dual-purpose effort stands as a model for human-centric governance.

₹36 Crore Still To Recover

While ₹166 crore has been retrieved, a remaining ₹36 crore is yet to be recovered. Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur has instructed officials to intensify efforts for the final stretch. She emphasized that no eligible beneficiary should be deprived due to administrative delays. Instructions have been issued to banks for direct monitoring of dormant and suspicious accounts. Strict deadlines have also been imposed on district officials to close the gap within the fiscal quarter. The government aims to re-route this recovered amount into fresh pensions for verified individuals awaiting approval.

Beneficiaries Get ₹1500 Monthly

Currently, nearly 35 lakh individuals including senior citizens, widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities receive ₹1500 per month directly in their bank accounts. This makes Punjab one of the few states with a direct benefit transfer system that ensures financial dignity for the underprivileged. The government has emphasized that no middlemen are involved in the process. Funds are credited on a fixed monthly schedule through linked Aadhaar verification. The policy aims to reduce leakages and ensure real-time accountability. Future enhancements may include biometric re-verification and grievance redressal tracking.