Mysuru: Benefits to over one lakh beneficiaries of social security pension schemes in Mysuru district have been suspended after a statewide verification drive by the revenue department.The move has left many elderly, widows and persons with disabilities ‘running from pillar to post’ as they had to visit taluk offices repeatedly seeking restoration.In Mysuru district, about 4 lakh people are receiving pension under various social security schemes, including old-age, widow and pensions for people with disability. Taluk-wise suspensions include HD Kote (10,654), Hunsur (13,188), KR Nagar (5,999), Nanjangud (20,519), Periyapatna (13,812), Saligrama (6,221), Saragur (5,839) and T Narasipura (16,225).Officials said pensions were stopped after beneficiaries were marked ‘doubtful’ and were served notices seeking re-verification of income certificates and other documents to confirm eligibility. The affected schemes include both union and state programmes such as Indira Gandhi national old age pension, widow pension, sandhya suraksha yojane, national family benefit scheme, funeral assistance and Manaswini, among others. Some were also covered under schemes like Adarsha Vivaha Yojane, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojane and special widow pensions linked to farmer suicide cases.The verification exercise was initiated following complaints of forged or inconsistent documents submitted, including age proofs and income details. Eligibility for most schemes require annual income below Rs 32,000 and a BPL card. Officials said pensions were suspended in cases where income certificates showed income above the cap, or where BPL card details were missing or unclear.Assistant director of social security schemes HM Dakshayini said that the revenue department suspended pensions for about 1.3 lakh beneficiaries in the district and restored payments for 20,167 people after verification. She said verification is being carried out using the Sanyojane mobile app to improve transparency and prevent misuse.Tahsildars have issued notices to all doubtful beneficiaries, who must submit income certificates, address proof, Aadhaar, BPL card and supporting documents within 30 days.Mahadevamma, a resident of Sosale village in T Narasipura taluk, appealed for her pension to be restored, saying she needs it for medical and daily expenses and her children do not support her.
