Wrong beneficiaries got stipend: Social Welfare Department

The department has affirmed to the first bench that “The amount paid to 26 ineligible beneficiaries is being recovered by passing orders under the Revenue Recovery Act on November 3, 2016. Also, to fix responsibility, charges have been framed under Rule 17 (b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services Rules against the delinquent officer on November 1, 2016.”

Auto driver Govi Thangaraj had contended that Ilayaraja, who was a ward councillor and DMDK Town Secretary of Thiruverkadu Municipality had misused his powers and favoured friends to obtain stipend through various schemes. It may be noted that the failure of the department to act on Thangaraj’s representation had forced him to approach the High Court. Now, the bench directed the Social Welfare department to examine the petitioner’s apprehension that similar such ineligible person have been offered stipends between 2009-2013 and sought it to take steps to recover the amount.