Aasara Pension Scheme: Telangana Plans Massive Audit To Weed Out Fake Beneficiaries

News18

24-06-2025

Last Updated:
The Telangana government plans mandatory social audits of the Aasara pension scheme to weed out ineligible beneficiaries and ensure only the truly deserving receive support
If you are a regular recipient of a government pension, it's crucial to stay informed about recent developments. The Telangana state government has taken a significant step to ensure the Aasara pension scheme is implemented more transparently and equitably. In pursuit of this goal, it plans to conduct social audits to closely examine how the scheme is functioning.
Social audits, previously used in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), have proven effective in uncovering irregularities and recovering misallocated funds. Now, a similar audit mechanism is being considered for the Aasara pension programme.
The Aasara Pension Scheme is a flagship social welfare programme launched by the Government of Telangana in 2014, aimed at offering financial support to the most vulnerable sections of society; those who are unable to work due to old age, disability, or challenging social circumstances. The scheme is designed to ensure a basic standard of living and a sense of dignity for these individuals.
The scheme provides pensions to several categories of beneficiaries, including senior citizens (aged 60 and above), widows, persons with disabilities (PWDs), single women (particularly those who are unmarried or abandoned), handloom weavers, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
The monthly pension amount varies by category. Most beneficiaries receive Rs 2,000 per month, while individuals with disabilities are provided with an enhanced pension of Rs 3,000 per month. These amounts are aimed at covering basic needs and reducing dependency on others. Pension payments are disbursed directly into the beneficiaries' bank or post office accounts, helping reduce delays and leakages. Biometric verification is commonly used to ensure that the benefits reach the rightful recipients.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. They must be residents of Telangana and belong to low-income households, typically those falling under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. Moreover, those who already receive government pensions or are income taxpayers are not eligible.
Who Are The Genuine Beneficiaries Of Aasara Pension Scheme?
In the former Mahabubnagar district of Telangana alone, there are 395,852 Aasara pension recipients. These include the elderly, disabled individuals, widows, handloom weavers, toddy tappers, beedi workers, single women, and people living with HIV/AIDS, among others. However, concerns have emerged over recent years that ineligible individuals may be receiving pensions.
To rectify this, a compulsory social audit will be carried out to verify the legitimacy of each beneficiary and ensure that the scheme benefits only those truly in need. This move is part of the government's broader commitment to transparent governance.
What Should Pensioners Expect?
Pensioners should be prepared for field inspections and have relevant documentation ready. Going forward, eligibility criteria will be strictly enforced.
The Telangana government is expected to release detailed inspection guidelines, which will apply at both village and ward levels and involve public officials, elected representatives, and local volunteers.
Concerns About Fake Claims To Aasara Scheme
The disability quota is a key component of the Aasara scheme. However, there have been serious allegations that individuals who are not genuinely disabled are receiving pensions under this quota.
In one village in the Narayanpet district, a preliminary inspection found that 30% of recipients under the disabled category may have obtained benefits using fraudulent certificates, often with the assistance of intermediaries.
There have also been reports of individuals manipulating their age on Aadhaar cards to qualify for old-age pensions prematurely. Such practices undermine the integrity of the entire welfare system.
Social Audits Aim To Prevent These Malpractices
The government is making social audits mandatory as a means of preventing fraud and misuse. These audits will help identify ineligible claimants, remove them from the scheme, and restore benefits to the truly deserving.
Guidelines are currently being drafted, and the government aims to compile detailed reports, examine them officially, and act decisively against misuse.
Is Pension Distribution Currently Transparent?
At present, pensions in rural areas are distributed through the Postal Department, with biometric (fingerprint) verification. However, reports indicate a lack of transparency in some locations. In instances where beneficiaries are unable to provide fingerprints, Panchayat Secretaries have reportedly stepped in to facilitate disbursement, leaving the process vulnerable to abuse or misappropriation.
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The government is addressing the issue with urgency. It is preparing a robust framework for social inspections, including clearly defined procedures on who will conduct inspections, under whose supervision, and how findings will be recorded and verified. The implementation will involve Panchayat-level staff, village volunteers, and local councils, ensuring oversight and accountability at the grassroots level.
This initiative signals a strong shift towards ensuring that public funds are used properly and fairly, providing support only to those who meet the established criteria.
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