DEF vows to spread the joy of giving in rural India
Intervention by a Soochna Seva team has forced an errant Gram Sevak in Ramnagar block of West Champaran district to return to actual beneficiaries the money he was swindling from them. The team learnt that Phoolmati Devi, 65, was not getting her entitled Rs 400 per month under Bihar’s Widow Pension Scheme. The Sevak — who used to collect the full pension on behalf of Phoolmati and other poor, uneducated villagers from the Block Development Officer with intervals of two or three months — used to retain Rs 200-300 for himself from the entitlement of each beneficiary. The team inspected her bank passbook and found that although the passbook listed the precise amount, she was actually receiving less money. The team approached the Gram Sevak and questioned him but he refused to accept his fault and there was no official record that could prove him wrong. The team then sought the help of the BDO, who took immediate action and directed the Gram Sevak to distribute money sincerely and warned him to be careful in the future. The very next day, the Gram Sevak returned the swindled money to Phoolmati and other beneficiaries.
Related posts
