Due to failure to update information regarding persons registered with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), approximately MVR 10 million has been deposited in the accounts of over 700 deceased individuals, NSPA CEO Aminath Shirna has revealed. 

In an interview with State media PSM, Shirna said that the error stemmed from the dissolution of the agency's Monitoring Section in 2020, noting that information updates have since become increasingly lax. 

Shirna said that the agency does verify whether social welfare assistance is issued to eligible recipients. She noted that the programme provides financial support to individuals who request aid and are assessed to be in need due to their living conditions and social circumstances. 

One of the most important roles in providing social welfare is that of monitoring, Shirna said. However, this has practically come to a halt since the dedicated Monitoring Section was dissolved in 2020, she added. Shirna stressed that this decision has caused significant loss to the State, revealing that over MVR 10 million has been erroneously deposited in the accounts of more than 700 deceased individuals. 

"What a huge loss this is. We are now working on resuming the work of the Monitoring Section, and further strengthening the system," Shirna said. 

There are about 15,000 persons registered at NSPA. Previously, the NSPA Monitoring Section regularly inspected and updated information regarding registered persons. This work had come to a halt following the dissolution of the section in 2020. 

Although this has caused a significant loss to the State, Shirna assured that the agency is now working on resuming monitoring work, and ensuring that assistance is provided to those eligible.