CM directs payment of cash benefits through bank accounts

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 18: With his fincial assistance schemes - apparently doled out with an eye on the assembly elections - coming under the scanner of the Gauhati High Court, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has now decided to disburse the cash incentives through the bank accounts of the beneficiaries to "maintain transparency".

"…all beneficiaries of individual benefit oriented schemes shall be paid only through account payee cheques. Such cheques shall be ceremonially distributed amongst the selected beneficiaries in a transparent manner while holding public meetings etc," Commissioner & Secretary (Fince) Ravi Kota said in circular to all heads of departments.

In case the bank accounts of the beneficiaries is not approved by the Account General (A&E) and not registered under the Public Fincial Magement System, the payment will be made through ECS and credited directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries.

The schemes include cash assistance of Rs 10,000 to unmarried women, Rs 10,000 to BPL girls at the time of marriage, Rs 10,000 to 200 poor women in each LAC, Rs 5,000 to 1,000 small entrepreneurs in each LAC, Rs 25,000 to homeless families, Rs 5,000 to 1,000 poor farmers in each LAC and Rs 10,000 to 100 women SHGs in each LAC.

The move comes in the backdrop of questions being raised on the selection of beneficiaries for such fincial assistance schemes. There are also allegations of the money being misused and creation of ghost beneficiaries.