The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has identified more than MVR 10 million in social assistance payments deposited into the accounts of over 700 deceased beneficiaries.

NSPA Chief Executive Officer Aminath Shiruna said the issue arose after the agency's beneficiary monitoring section was discontinued in 2020, resulting in beneficiary records not being regularly updated.

She said the agency has now resumed efforts to verify beneficiaries and ensure social assistance reaches those who are genuinely eligible. The review also identified cases where changes in beneficiaries' circumstances and deaths had not been recorded, leading to payments being made to ineligible recipients.

According to Shiruna, around 15,000 people are currently registered with the NSPA, and work is underway to strengthen monitoring systems and improve the accuracy of beneficiary records.

The NSPA provides financial assistance to low-income families, single parents, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups through various social welfare programmes.