Kendrapara, Sept. 15: Jogendra Jena, a native of Talakusuma village, who died on July 22, 2012, is still withdrawing old-age pension of Rs 500 every month. Though Jena’s death was registered with the government-run Patkura hospital, his pension is still being drawn, shows records.

This is not a stray incident. Ganhei Das and Kanhei Pradhan from Bangalpur village of Garadpur block died in 2013, but both of them still figure in the list of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension beneficiaries.

“This is incredible. I had sought details on specific cases of pension beneficiaries under the Right to Information Act. There must be hundreds of such cases where frauds are drawing pension in the name of deceased people. In order to be eligible for old-age pension, one must have a BPL card. Besides, he or she should have attained 60 years of age. The beneficiary must have to submit age-proof certificate, which can be either a voter’s card or an age certificate obtained from the chief district medical officer. The list of beneficiaries is prepared after thorough verification. Despite all efforts, such discrepancies are arising,” said rights activist Shyam Sundar Rath.

“I am 68 years old and entitled to pension. But for some strange reason, I am yet to be covered under the scheme. Officials tell me that my case will be taken up next year. I am a chronic asthma patient, I do not know whether I will be alive next year or not. But there are people who are enjoying the facility despite being under 60 years,” said Maheswar Sahu of Iswarpur village.

“Lapses have come to light. There are reports of ghost pensioners drawing money in the name of people who are dead. Names of ineligible beneficiaries have been cancelled. The matter is under investigation and steps are also been taken to recover the money under Odisha Public Recovery Of Debt Act,” said Kendrapara sub-collector Pratap Chandra Mishra.