All central- and state-sponsored pension programmes in the district have come under the scanner after the office of the district magistrate (DM) received a slew of complaints accusing youths of benefiting from the schemes.

Muzaffarpur DM Santosh Kumar Mall stopped payment of pension through post office, and also ordered a physical verification and video documentation of all the beneficiaries. Sub-divisional magistrate (west) Kundan Kumar and his counterpart in the eastern parts of the district, Rajesh Bharti, have been asked to verify the list of beneficiaries.

Sources said the office of the DM last Saturday received complaints against youths in different parts of the district, who were reaping the benefits of various pension schemes. Some panchayati raj officials had included the names of their friends and relatives in the list of beneficiaries, said sources. The office of the deputy director of social security was also implicated.

“We suspect foul play in all central- and state-sponsored pension schemes in the district, including Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, Indira Gandhi National Handicapped Pension, National Family Benefit Scheme, Laxmibai State Social Security Pension, Bihar State Handicapped Pension and Bihar State Social Security Pension. Anomalies have been detected in the list of beneficiaries in several villages in Kudhani block. Fifteen youths from Kishunpur village, whose name figured in the list of beneficiaries, have been identified after necessary investigation. The block development officer concerned has been asked to take action against the officials and members of panchayati raj institutions for incorporating names of undeserving persons in the lists,” said Kundan.

Similar irregularities have also been detected in Chandrahatti village of Kudhani block.

Bharti said he has directed the department concerned to conduct physical verification of all the beneficiaries of the central- and state-run pension schemes. “The verification would be conducted at the block- and panchayat-level in August. Beneficiaries would be videographed for documentation,” he said.

Bharti added: “The district administration will lodge FIRs against persons who have benefited from schemes by conspiring with panchayati raj institutions. The erring officials would also face the music.”