Village officials use finger
prints of the dead and non-existent for the collection of senior citizen social
security allowances. There are also those who are unscrupulous enough to
collect grants intended for the prevention of malnutrition in children.
Nabaraj Mahatara: Centre for Investigative
Journalism- Nepal
Abuse of social security allowances is rife in
Humla. Learning about frequent irregularities in the distribution of such
allowences by government officials we decided to investigate. For a reality
check we visited designated areas armed with a list of those who had received
social security allowances there. They included 10 wards in six Village
Development Committees (VDCs) in former Humla District Developmnet Committee
(current District Development Coordination Committee or DDC) – from Dardaphaya
in the northern, Lali in the central and Maila in the southern parts of the
district. This report is based on out investigations in those 10 wards.
Tasi Buda,
67, Syada,Ratna Shahi, 81, Dadhafaya and Deukala Buda, 68, Syada
In the villages we realized that the
misappropriation of social security allowences is much higher than we had
initially estimated. There are two major types of malpractices. Firstly, the
ward secretaries and other officials of VDCs collect social security allowences
in the name of deceased villagers. Secondly, they withdraw money in the name of
fake and non-existant citizens who are eligible for such allowences. Another
irregularity concerns omission, in the distribution list, of names of some who
are legally eligible to receive social security allowance. In addition, there
are cases where the government allocated allowance money is withheld for an
indefinite period.
How can this be possible? One of the reasons
is that in Nepal it is still customary, particularly in the case of illiterate
persons, to just use thumb prints instead of signatures on legal and official
documents. What usually happens is that citizens’ births and deaths are
registered at the local village ward levels while social security allowances
are allocated by the municipal government, to be distributed under the
supervision of DDCs. The death registration notifications from the wards either
do not reach the municipal government at all or take too long to reach them. In
other words, names of deceased persons are not removed from the social security
allowance lists for in a timely manner. Meanwhile, government social security
allowances are allocated regularly in advance and on schedule, based on
existing lists which may not have been updated.
Appropriate distribution at local levels,
however, is a different story. Ward secretaries and other VDC staff
periodically draw up their own random lists of residents eligible for receiving
social security allowences. Such lists could include names of already deceased
persons. What is even worse is that they could often times also include any
number of names of residents who are actually eligible for social security
allowences, but whose names have been intentionally omitted and replaced by
fake names of non-existent persons. In all such cases forged fingerprints
(instead of signatures) are used as proof of having received relevant payments
by those whose names are listed.
There are government rules and regulations in
place for the administration and distribution of social security allowences.
But implementing them at the grassroots level in remote areas where the actual
distribution takes place is highly challenging, largely to the helplessness of
the disadvantaged population affected coupled with the possibility of
responsible officials getting away with not properly carrying out their duties.
Following are numerous examples of
irregularities in the distribution of social security allowences in Humla:
The dead are “alive” in
fingerprints
Sixty seven year old Githe Rawat of Kharpunath
Village Municipality had been receiving senior citizen allowance since B.S.
2068. He died in 2073 but his signature is on the 2074 old age allowance
distribution list, submitted by ward secretary Meghnath Shahi from the accounts
department of Humla DCC, and allowances in his name are still being issued.
After repeated questioning him he said, “In order to satisfy senior citizens
who are entitled to social security allowance but whose names are not in the
list, money received in the name of dead persons are equally distributed among
them.” This is basically just meant to cover up his personal misconduct. When
we asked around we were unable to find anyone in the village that had received
such equally distributed payments.
According to former chief of then Raya VDC
(current Kharpunath Village Municipality), Prem Budha, the practice of
receiving deceased persons’ allowences by the VDC secretary is quite common.
Furthermore, those who are entitled to social security allowance are helpless
when at times ward secretaries inform them that their names are not in the list
and collect the relevant amouts for their own personal use.
In Adanchuli Village Municipality No. 1 we
found a case where thumb prints were used to receive social security allowance
in the name of Surjit Luwar who had died three years ago. His name is on the
list of persons to whom social security allowance was distributed in 2074 by
Adanchuli ward secretary Tulsi Bhandari and Takka Dutta Pyakurel. Luwal’s name
under code #61-23-00007452377 is still on the list approved by the Department
of Civil Registration (DOCR) of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local
Development. It shows Surjit’s thumb prints for having received the last
advance payment for the period Chaitra 2073 – Asaar 2074 at the rate of
NRs2,000/month. Secretary Bhandari’s explanation for this was similar to the
one given by Shahi. He mentioned that the allowance distribution lists of all
three villages in Kalkhe of Adanchuli Village Municipality #1 had also been
sent to the district headquarters. We tried to verify this by showing him the
receipt from the accounts department of the District Co-ordination Committee,
of money received by deceased persons. Bhandari then hesitated and refused to
comment.
There is an even better example from former
Raya VDC. An 84 year old resident, Hauyijali Tamta, who had been dead for 10
years, was listed for having received senior citizen social security allowance
under code #61-21-00001431123. Tamta’s name and finger prints are there as
proof of receipt of his last four monthly social security allowance of
NRs8,000.- in Shrawan 2074.
In the last week of Kartik 2074 we read out to
those who had gathered in Gumbadhara Village of Raya VDC, the names on the list
of senior citizens who had received social security allowance. Manabire Kami
then found that his mother’s name was also listed, when in fact she had passed
away 10 years earlier. As he was illiterate himself he had no choice but to
believe whatever the ward secretary said.
Jiru Thapa, Hiru Mahatara, Surjite Luwal,
Kinnakala Mahatara and Samante Mahatatra have all passed away in the last two
years. They were from ward numbers 6, 7 and 8 of former Srinagar VDC. However,
in the name of these five deceased persons and some others, social security
allowance worth NRs144,000.- has been collected in the last two years. Even now
their names have not been removed from the list for the distribution of such
allowance.
In order to prevent malnutrition among
children in Karnali Zone the government distributes a grant of NRs200/month per
child. But it is not easy to get exact details of cases of wrongful collection
of such grants. It would require visiting individual households and schools to
obtain names of the children concerned.
It is also possible for
non-existent persons to have finger prints
In former Lali VDC #5 Buddha Kami’s name is in
the list of those who receive social security allowance. There is nobody by
this name in the village. But finger prints on a cash receipt #93 of the accounts
section of the DCC confirms that NRs4,000.- has been received by him.
Kalibane
Buda, 75, Hirasinha Buda, 76 and Dhan Bahadur Buda, 70 from Syada
Rupsila Bumi is on the list of distribution of
allowance in Srinagar VDC #6 under Code #61-23-00005818367 and ID
#2010040300733. Although there is no such person in the village her finger
prints are on the cash receipts submitted to the DCC, for having received the
allowance. Likewise, NRs60,000.- has been withdrawn in the name of Mun
Bhandari, Mauki Mahatara, Bajjir Bumi and Hanskala Budha, none of whom are
resident in the village. The list of receipt of payments was submitted to the
DCC accounts section by ward secretary, Tulsi Bhandari, of the former VDC and
ward secretary of current Adanchuli Village Municipality 1, Takkadutta
Pyakurel.
The situation in former Kalika VDC is even
worse. There allowances are regularly collected in the name of 83 deceased and
non-existant persons. In the fiscal year 2073/2074 alone it has been found that
NRs916,000.- has been confirmed received by these so called senior citizens and
single females. The relevant information is available at the DCC.
In ward numbers 7 and 8 of the same VDC
(currently Adanchuli Village Municipality ward #4) alone 28 fake names of
senior citizens are listed. Although they do not live in the village, their
allowances are still regularly distributed.
When we cross-checked names in the village
against the names of receipients of social security allowance list fom the VCC,
we found that in former Raya VDC ward numbers 2, 3 and 4 alone details of 59
persons did not tally. Some had already died earlier while the names of others
were faked. Yet even today allowances continue to be withdrawn in the names of
those listed.
Examples abound of withdrawal of social
security allowances in the names of non-existant persons, like in the case of
67 year old Maura Shahi and 69 year old Umer Singh Budha of Raya ward #2.
Nobody by the name of Rag Bik of Raya ward #4 lives in the village either.
However, there are proofs complete with finger prints in the VCC accounts
section, of these persons having received their last payments of NRs4,000.- or
NRs8,000.- in 2073. Former Raya VDC chief, Prem Budha, expressed surprise at so
much money having been used up.
The general public has been cheated due to
whimsical misconduct by officials. Sixty five year old Nanikala Shahi of
Darndaphaya, Village Municipality 7 of Simkot district headquarters, has not
received her social security allowances for three years. Approaching the ward
secretary when he came to the village, she was told that they had not received
the money from the government. She was not satisfied with the practice of
distributing allowances in an irregular manner.
The government regularly sent out the money
intended for allowences. But as experienced by Nanikala, the practice of ward
secretaries in Humla keeping the allocated amounts for themselves or delaying
payments to rightful recipients is very common. From the DDC records it can be
seen that Nanikala had regularly received social security allowance since 2068.
Her name is under serial #31 in the list of recipients in Darndaphaya VDC.
Apparently she has been paid a social security allowance of NRs2,000/month.
Similarly, 66 year old Lafa Rawal of ward #4
in Raya VDC had been receiving social security allowance regularly for four
years. But lately the VDC ward secretary, Meghnath Shah said that they had not
received the money from the authorities, which she simply did not believe. We
told her that the DCC claimed her allowance had been paid so she visited the
DCC the next day. There it upset her that the ward secretary had received
NRs4,000.- using finger prints.
No fear, no shame, needs
investigation
These are only some examples of the
misutilization of social security allowances in Humla District. The local ward
secretaries do as they like with government allowances meant for the helpless
senior citizens, single women with no relatives and dalits who are victims of
racial discrimination. They even collect allowences in the name of non-existent
persons using their signatures and finger prints.
The concerned officials neither seem to be
afraid nor are they ashamed of what they do. From our
research/investigation/study carried out in six former VDCs in Humla it is
clear that there is frequent misutilization and irregularity in the use of
government social security allowences. It is necessary to investigate to what
extent and which officials are involved in the misutilization of social
security allowances in 27 former VDCs of Humla.
The rules and regulations
The government has also developed working
procedures for the distribution of social security allowences. Eligible persons
must be present personally in order to receive their allowences. Where possible
the allowences will be deposited to a bank account. Otherwise there is a legal
system to hand deliver allowences to the homes of eligible recipients. They
must have national identity cards from relevant local channels in order to
receive their allowences. The first four monthly alowance of the year will be settled
on 1st Asar, the second on 12th Magh and the last installment on 15th Jestha. These arrangements are made
according to Clause 13 of the working procedures of 2069.
It is also required that the allowences be
deposited into bank accounts. According to Clause 14 (i) of the working
procedure, VDCs/Municipalities have to send to the DDC periodically, the
following documents of eligible persons with new ID or renewed ID cards:
names, addresses, national identity and citizenship/birth certificate numbers
as well as bank account details.
Likewise it is first necessary to identify
beneficiaries who cannot present themselves at the bank, like those who are
fully disabled, those with physical disability and can only move around with
the help of others, those who are bed-ridden as well as children. According to
Sub-clause 1 of Clause 7 of the working procedure, details of their appointed
representatives also need to be submitted.
But will there be strict
implementation in future?
A complaint had been lodged at the Commission
of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) against then Maila VDC secretary,
Kali Bahadur Hamal, of Narakot 2 in Jumla. On 18th Chaitra the Special Court of Kathmandu
ruled for him to be fined NRs1,220,200.- and NRs2,276,400.- for the
misuse of social security allowences in Kalika VDC and Maila VDC respectively.
Subsequently on 16th Shrawan 2074 Humla
District Court pushed Tanjakot Village Municipality (former Maila VDC) to
implement the special court ruling.
Locals had also previously lodged a complaint
at the DCC against former Kalika and Maila VDC secretary, Gopal Lama, for not
distributing social security allowences. On this basis he was summoned to the District
Administration Office on the last week of Ashwin 2074. DCC Secretary, Lok
Bahadur Sunal, together with then CDO, Dhan Krishna Sharma Poudel, ordered Lama
to distribute relevant allowences to the beneficiaries. In the 2073 auditor
general’s report it had also been pointed out that NRs5,500,000.- was
unaccounted for under his name. But he has yet to settle this amount.
Another case of a complaint being lodged
against Darnda Phaya VDC secretary, Ram Prasad Devkota, involved the
non-distribution of social security allowances to beneficiaries for two years.
When a three member investigation team found that he had used the money for his
personal household expenses, Devkota settled the required amount with VDC over
six months. Then the responsibility of distributing the allowences was passed
over to incoming VDC Secretary, Ram Lal Pandey. However, he too kept the money
himself and failed to distribute it as required. So the DCC raided and
confiscated NRs600,000.- from his home. The remaining balance of NRs200,000.-
was deducted from his salary.
The misuse of funds allocated for social
security allowences is rampant. The DCC Auditor, Bishal Bohara, says that the
secretaries divert the funds for their personal use and that the distribution
of allowences is not transparent. As far as possible and based on authorization
from the central government, the DCC transfers funds to local governments once
every four months. Most secretaries withdraw the funds from banks within a
week. However, instead of distributing allowances as required they hold on to
the money for months for their personal use. The problem is only getting worse.
Bohara said that they have not been able to control the situation.
Sub Clause 9 of Clause 9 for working
procedures states that VDCs/Municipalities must have at least five persons from
different political parties, representatives of community based organizations
and local respected elders. A written deed (mujulka) must be drawn up
confirming that the distribution has been carried out under their joint
supervision. One copy of this deed is to be displayed on the VDC/Municipality
notice board. Another copy is to be filed with receipt for future auditing.
However, the officials usually do not pay any attention to this legal
requirement. Raj Bahadur Rokaya of Simkot is of the opinion that VDC
secretaries are under the protection of different political parties and they
need not act according to the law. The question is: Who can possibly penalize
them?
In another item of Sub Clause 9 of Clause 9
for working procedures it is stipulated that every four months there is an
arrangement to inform the DDC within seven days of settlement of all advance
payments. However, Humla DCC secretary, Lok Bahadur Sunal, said that he was
unable to monitor them properly even when the relevant documents were received
on time. This, according to him, will be strictly implemented from now on.
Thus it can be seen that there is much need
not only for proper administration, supervision and distribution of social
security allowance but also adequate auditing and penalization where necessary,
in Humla district. Perhaps it is also the case in other parts of the country.
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