77,000 accounts under Maiyan Samman Yojana frozen in Jharkhand
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, May 30: The bank accounts of over 77,000 beneficiaries under Jharkhand government’s ambitious Maiyan Samman Yojana have been frozen in the state following suspicions of irregularities. The Social Welfare Department has initiated physical verification of these beneficiaries and disbursement of the monthly financial assistance has been put on hold until the verification process is completed.
Among the affected, the highest number of frozen accounts — more than 27,000 — belong to beneficiaries from the Jamshedpur zone and Golmuri-cum-Jugsalai block. In contrast, Chakulia zone has the lowest number of affected accounts at 674. Across different blocks of the district, the figures include 7788 beneficiaries from Baharagora, 2260 from Gudabandha, 2614 from Dhalbhumgarh, 3043 from Ghatshila and 4854 from Musabani, among others.
Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department, Neha Sanjana Khalkho, confirmed that lists have been sent to respective Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Circle Officers (COs) for on-ground verification. Only after receiving reports from the block level will the payments resume. If discrepancies are found, not only will the financial aid be revoked, but recovery action will also be taken.
The department revealed that some ineligible individuals — including family members of government employees, Anganwadi workers and those already receiving benefits from other government schemes — have illegally availed the scheme by submitting incorrect documents. These names are now being screened out, with nearly 3,000 such cases identified in West Singhbhum alone. Approximately Rs 78 crore is spent each month to provide Rs 2500 to 3.12 lakh beneficiaries across the district.
To curb fraudulent applications, online applications through Pragya Kendras were banned earlier this year. Despite this, irregular submissions continue to surface, prompting stricter scrutiny. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that only eligible and deserving individuals receive the benefits of this welfare scheme.
