20,000 pensioners in Delhi untraceable

Over 20,000 people, who have been given old age pension, could not be traced in the city, prompting Delhi government to order streamlining of the entire pension disbursal system as well as selection of beneficiaries.
A survey carried out by the Social Welfare Department found that over 20,000 people could not be traced though government has been releasing monthly old-age pension to them. Officials said around 18,000 of them might have died and directions have been issued to find out the details.
A cabinet meeting, presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, today deliberated on the issue and decided to streamline the entire pension disbursal mechanism.

"Instructions have been issued to the Finance and Social Welfare department to streamline the entire mechanism under which old-age pension is given," officials said.
They said government is concerned over the "loopholes" in the pension disbursal system and is likely to come out with policy guidelines in selection of beneficiaries as well as release of the financial assistance.