PATNAGARH :All the six persons accused of availing handicap pension through fraudulent means have deposited the money that they received as pension at Patnagarh NAC office.
While one of them, an ICDS supervisor Sashikala Joshi, had deposited the money on Wednesday, the rest followed suit and deposited it on Friday.
Reports said four teachers Biswajit Rao and Anand Nag of Ganjauda School, Sanatan Das of Brahmapura Government High School, Balram Meher posted at Kaudia Primary School and anganwadi worker Urmila Herna were found availing handicap and widow pension in Patnagarh NAC.
The incident came to light after Sub Collector Sarat Chandra Panda directed Block Development Officers of Patnagarh, Belpada and Khaprakhol under Patnagarh sub-division and Executive Officer, Patnagarh NAC to conduct an inquiry into fake persons availing Government benefits.
In his reply on November 17, the Executive Officer identified the six persons and also informed that their pensions were being discontinued from November.
Subsequently, Panda moved Collector M Muthukumar to take action against them and their higher authorities requesting them to take steps to recover the money received by them as pension.
Patnagarh Sub Collector said anybody whose income is Rs 24,000 or more per year is not entitled for pension under Government welfare schemes.