PANJIM: The State government on Tuesday failed to produce before Goa Lokayukta the re-verification report pertaining to alleged irregularities into the financial support scheme offered to building and other construction workers (BOCW) during COVID-19 pandemic.
The State Labour Department officials failed to appear before Lokayukta Justice (retired) PK Misra for the hearing. During the hearing held on August 5, the department had sought additional time for submission of the required information stating that “there are practical hurdles and difficulties which come in the way of smooth functioning on account of the COVID-19 crisis”. The matter is now scheduled on August 28.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The Lokayukta is hearing a complaint filed by Goa Forward Party Vice President Durgadas Kamat, who had charged that an amount of over Rs 13 crore has been disbursed to 15,490 BJP workers cum ‘so called’ construction workers and labourers during the pandemic.
The department during the hearing held on July 2 had admitted that the financial support meant for BOCW to tide over the loss of wages caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been availed by several bogus beneficiaries and the re-verification process has started.
Speaking to the media persons, Kamat said that the department failed to produce the final report and relevant files to the Lokayukta.
“The department also failed to submit the copy of interim report to the complainant as directed by the Lokayukta, in the last hearing,” he said. The Lokayukta while admitting the case had said there are “sufficient” and “reasonable” grounds to investigate the “Labour Gate Scam”.
