Meerut, Oct. 2 -- Serious irregularities have surfaced during the verification of pension beneficiaries in Meerut, where officials discovered that payments were still being credited to the bank accounts of deceased individuals. Authorities have since frozen the affected accounts and ordered a fresh audit to identify ineligible recipients.

According to officials, 404 deceased female beneficiaries were found to be on the active payroll, alongside 58 other "fake" beneficiaries. The verification process is ongoing, and officials indicate that these numbers may rise.

Minister Gulabo Devi, upon being informed of the situation, directed officials to conduct an inquiry and take strict action against those responsible for the lapse. She emphasis...