Audit Reveals Misallocation of Mahatari Vandan Funds to 11 Ineligible Women

Bilha, Chhattisgarh – An audit conducted under the Integrated Child Development Project has exposed a misallocation of Mahatari Vandan funds to eleven women who do not meet the eligibility requirements. The total sum of Rs 1,24,000 is slated for recovery by the state authorities.

The Mahatari Vandan programme aims to support mothers with a monthly cash grant of Rs 1,000, provided they are not part of a government employee’s household. The audit found that the identified women either have spouses serving as government teachers, assistant teachers, or are themselves employed in the public sector.

Names such as Kumari Yadav, Godavari Kaushik, and Savita Kurre appear on the list of disqualified beneficiaries. Their connection to government service directly contravenes the scheme’s exclusion clause.

Following the discovery, the Women and Child Development Department sent the details to the Bilha Block Education Officer. The officer, Bhupendra Kaushik, has issued invoices to the eleven individuals, mandating the repayment of the funds within a prescribed timeframe. Should the beneficiaries fail to comply, the outstanding amount will be deducted from the salaries of the associated government employees.

The episode underscores the importance of rigorous beneficiary verification and has prompted calls for enhanced monitoring of state welfare initiatives.