Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Forward Party (GFP), NDA ally, on Tuesday exposed the alleged multi-crore “Labour-Gate” scam, charging that BJP workers are the beneficiaries of the financial support announced for construction workers to tide over the loss of wages caused due to COVID pandemic, announced by the Dr Pramod Sawant-led State government.
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Addressing the media persons, GFP Vice President Durgadas Kamat said the State government has paid an amount of over Rs 13 crore to nearly 12,800 ‘so-called’ construction workers and labourers during the pandemic.
“However, the fact is, the beneficiaries, majority of whom are from Sanquelim and Bicholim areas, are neither workers nor labourers. There is complete fraud in the list of beneficiaries,” he said while playing audio clips of communication with some of the beneficiaries, as listed by the government, in which every person has denied to have received the amount.
“This is nothing but a multi-crore ‘Labour Gate scam’,” said Kamat, while adding that a complaint in this regard would be filed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for necessary action.
Kamat further added that a complaint will be also filed with Goa Lokayukta and Central Bureau of Investigation-New Delhi for necessary investigation.
As per the list provided by GFP, the total beneficiaries in Bardez Taluka are 2,070, Pernem 1,890, Bicholim 1,522, Sattari, 1,330, Tiswadi 700, Dharbandora 620, Salcete 370, Canacona 360 and Mormugao 40. There are 3,440 beneficiaries from outside Goa.
The party further pointed out that nearly 940 people has received an amount of Rs 6,000 each, while another 1,500 received Rs 10,000, whereas 600 people received the benefit of Rs 20,000 each.
Also, there are 300 people who received Rs 30,000, while another 306 got the benefit of Rs 40,000, whereas over Rs nine lakh was given to five people each.
It may be recalled that the State government had announced to provide financial support of Rs 6,000 each to around 15,000 construction workers and another Rs 4,000 each to other 4,000 labourers.
