Indian Express 11.03.2010
Over 3,000 avail pension from both govt, civic body
Express News Service Tags : pension case, delhi Posted: Thursday , Mar 11, 2010 at 0113 hrs
New Delhi :An internal investigation by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has revealed that out of the total number of persons entitled to receive pension from the civic agency, 3,300 people have been collecting pension from both the Delhi government and the MCD.
According to MCD Standing Committee chairperson R K Singhal, a person can avail of such benefits either from the civic agency or from the government and not from both.
There are 1.90 lakh eligible pensioners — which include senior citizens, physically handicapped persons and widows — entitled to receive the benefit from the MCD.
Last year, the Corporation had received information regarding confusion in payment of pension amount, following which an inquiry was initiated. The MCD had also stopped payment of the pension due since the previous six months to all eligible candidates to confirm the discrepancy.
It has now decided to conduct a further detailed inquiry.
“Initial investigation has revealed that there are more than 3,300 persons who have been collecting pension amount from both the state government and the MCD. A thorough investigation is being carried out and those found guilty will be punished,” MCD commissioner K S Mehra said.
The civic body has once again stopped payment of pension. “Once the investigation is over, we will start releasing the money,” a senior MCD official said.
The budget provisions of the MCD for the year 2010-11, meanwhile, increased the pension amount from Rs.500 to Rs 1,000 per month.
