NSPA Begins Review of Aid Registry After MVR 10 Million Paid to Deceased Beneficiaries

The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has begun reviewing its beneficiary registry to determine whether recipients of state assistance continue to meet eligibility criteria, after more than MVR 10 million was found to have been paid into the accounts of deceased beneficiaries.

Speaking to state media, NSPA CEO Aaminath Shiruna said the agency’s ability to verify beneficiaries weakened after its monitoring section was abolished in 2020, resulting in changes in beneficiaries’ circumstances not being regularly identified and updated.

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Shiruna said the agency found that assistance had been deposited into the accounts of more than 700 deceased individuals among approximately 15,000 people registered with the NSPA.

The CEO said the payments to deceased beneficiaries had resulted in significant losses to the state, with the amount identified so far exceeding MVR 10 million.

She said the NSPA is now working to restore the monitoring section and strengthen the system to ensure assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries.

The monitoring section previously tracked and updated changes in the circumstances of aid recipients, including residents of the Guraidhoo Centre and other beneficiaries. According to NSPA, the suspension of this monitoring resulted in information about beneficiaries who had died or whose circumstances had changed not being updated.

The agency said the current review aims to strengthen monitoring and establish a system to ensure state assistance is provided only to those who meet the relevant eligibility requirements.