PANAJI: After the state government began an exercise last year to carry out checks on beneficiaries of the Griha Aadhar dole given to housewives, it has found that close to 8 ,000 are not traceable for various reasons such as death of beneficiary and change in address.Among those who could not be traced due to address issues, residences of 5,376 beneficiaries could not be traced, while the houses of another 2,224 were found to be closed. While the benefit of Rs 1,500 per month continues to be credited to the bank accounts of these women, officials found that they have not intimated the state when they migrated abroad or shifted houses within Goa or elsewhere in India.At last count in September 2018, around 152 beneficiaries were found to have expired. Their families did not inform the state authorities.Close to 25,000 applications, many of them needy women, have piled up since the scheme was kept in abeyance last year after the state government began the exercise of tracing existing beneficiaries under the scheme. This was done to ensure that the increasing numbers do not become a burden on the state exchequer.While 791 were found to have migrated outside India as of September 2018, 266 had moved homes outside the state elsewhere within the country, without informing the authorities.Another 2,392 were reported to have shifted within Goa without updating their new address with the authorities.Already, around 1,800 beneficiaries or their families have been issued notices as the beneficiary has either expired or was found to have a family income of more than Rs 3 lakh per annum, which is the income cap to avail of the benefit under the scheme. Beneficiary families were even found to have a member employed with the government.The directorate of women and child development has issued notices in the hope that they will be responsive."The showcause notices have been issued with a month's time given to the beneficiary to visit our office and provide a justification. We have also contacted the banks with queries if the bank account is being accessed, and if the account holder visits the bank, etc," said an official of the directorate of women and child development.The official said that there have even been cases where beneficiaries have let loose their dogs to prevent the state representative from entering the house to verify details. There were 1,086 beneficiaries who were found to be uncooperative, refusing to let officials in or responding rudely to inquiries.The Griha Adhar scheme was launched in 2013 to provide a cushion for housewives against price rise.Under the eligibility criteria, any married woman (including a widow and divorcee) above the age of 18 years who is a resident of Goa for the last 15 years can apply as a beneficiary.

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