Direct benefit transferred: How a network in Rajasthan diverted cash from govt schemes (PM-Kisan, state pension, crop loss schemes main target; 51 arrested), Pg1

Key Highlights:

• A network in Rajasthan diverted funds from government schemes like PM-Kisan, state pension, and crop loss compensation, leading to 51 arrests.
• The scam involved field agents, government officials, and e-mitra operators who targeted ineligible individuals and exploited loopholes in the schemes.
• Investigators uncovered misappropriation of Rs 14.81 crore in PM-Kisan, Rs 3.62 crore in Rajasthan Disaster Management Information System (DMIS), and a similar amount in the state pension scheme.
• Sensitive data of around 99 lakh people was found with the accused, and over 11,000 suspicious bank accounts were identified.

Detailed Insights:

• The scam exploited lax eligibility criteria in schemes like PM-Kisan, such as no cap on beneficiaries per family and auto-approval of applications, which allowed easy diversion of funds.
• In the Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme (RajSSP), ineligible individuals were registered using fabricated disability certificates, with the help of officials in the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) office.
• For the DMIS scheme, scamsters targeted errors in land records and colluded with e-mitras to manipulate data on the portal, diverting crop loss compensation.
• A whistleblower alerted the police to the scam, leading to the arrest of key figures like Mohammad Laiq (PM-Kisan nodal officer) and Ramavtar Saini (alleged mastermind).
• Investigations revealed a complex network with agents identifying vulnerable individuals, operators compiling data, and technical experts breaching security to approve ineligible accounts.
• Physical verification of beneficiaries revealed a high percentage of invalid data, with one report showing over 90% invalid data in Tonk's Land Revenue Department.
• The scale of the scam may be larger, with authorities suspecting similar modules operating in other parts of the state and country.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM-Kisan: A central government scheme providing financial assistance to landholding farmer families.
• Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme (RajSSP): A state government scheme providing monthly financial assistance to vulnerable groups.
• Disaster Management Information System (DMIS): A state government system for disbursing compensation for crop loss due to natural disasters.
• e-mitra: Government authorized online service centers in Rajasthan providing various services to citizens.