Rs 30.6L recovered from deceased Gruhalakshmi beneficiaries in D’gere

Pic: Govt moves to make life certificate mandatory as recovery drive continuesDavanagere: The govt has begun an active recovery drive to claw back Gruhalakshmi funds credited to deceased beneficiaries' bank accounts, withdrawing Rs 30.6 lakh from 288 accounts in Davanagere district as it moves to tighten controls and make submission of a life certificate mandatory.The recovery exercise is ongoing in the district, while the govt has initiated steps to make submission of a life certificate mandatory for beneficiaries. The process is expected to be extended across the state.Chief executive officers of zilla panchayats, who serve as member secretaries of the District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, have been instructed to recover funds credited to accounts even after beneficiaries' deaths.According to a document available with TOI, over 1.4 lakh Gruhalakshmi beneficiaries died across the state, and Rs 79.7 crore was credited to the accounts of 68,776 such women. In Davanagere district, 4,679 women out of 3.7 lakh beneficiaries died by Dec 2025, but their families did not inform the govt.Recovery efforts have been under way since Jan. The issue was discussed at a District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee meeting on Jan 16, where members decided to recommend mandatory submission of a life certificate to prevent deposits into accounts of deceased beneficiaries."It is difficult for incapacitated beneficiaries to visit banks, so family members manage the accounts and have access to ATM cards. There have been cases where Gruhalakshmi funds were withdrawn from accounts of the deceased," said committee president Shamanur T Basavaraj.An official from the department of women and child development said funds continued to be withdrawn for months after some beneficiaries died. "Some repaid the amount after instructions. The govt has not issued clear directions on recovery in cases where the money was withdrawn and used," the official said.Anganwadi workers have been directed to report deaths of beneficiaries to the child development project officer. After verification, the deputy directors of the department issue directions to banks."Banks review the beneficiary list every month to ensure funds are not credited to deceased accounts. The govt has authorised banks to recover such amounts," said Raja Naik, deputy director, department of women and child development.