Lokayukta finds sufficient grounds to probe labour scam

Team Herald

PANJIM: Stating that there are ‘sufficient’ and ‘reasonable’ grounds to investigate the ‘Labour Gate Scam’, Goa Lokayukta Justice (retired) PK Misra issued a notice to the State government in a complaint filed by Goa Forward Party (GFP) alleging that financial support meant for building and other construction workers to tide over the loss of wages caused due to the COVID pandemic has been siphoned off and diverted to BJP workers.

The Lokayukta has issued a notice to Chief Secretary and Labour Secretary and has impleaded the Labour Commissioner for the limited purpose of furnishing details of the scheme and the names and designations of the officials whose duty it was to identify the beneficiaries. 

The Labour Secretary has also been directed to produce all the relevant files and documents relating to the Construction Workers Welfare Board Assistance Scheme-Covid-19, on July 2, when the matter would be heard. 

The ombudsman body will also examine as to whether any investigating agency like Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) or Crime Branch can be directed to register FIR against unknown person and to carry on investigation to find and prosecute the culprits. 

GFP vice president Durgadas Kamat, in a complaint filed earlier this month, 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.

“Heard the complainant in person. Perused the complaint petition and heard the audio CD. On going through the material on record it is found that there are sufficient and reasonable grounds to hold a detailed investigation,” Misra said in the order. 

Indirectly attacking the government for the limited resources, the Lokayukta said that the institution with its “royal force” of two head constables and two constables, who have been promoted as head constables in meantime, it is “well-nigh impossible” to verify whether all beneficiaries were genuinely working or not. 

“It will also be impossible for this institution to ascertain the names of the public functionaries who are responsible, including the names of eligible persons as beneficiaries,” the Lokayukta added. 

Lokayukta has also directed that the petition be forwarded to the competent authority namely the Chief Minister, as required. 

Addressing media persons, Kamat said the Lokayukta has admitted prima facie the charges levied by them. “This has exposed the corrupt practices of BJP. Money meant for building and construction workers has been siphoned-off and diverted to BJP workers cum labourers,” he charged. 

“We have enough evidence that BJP workers have filled the form to get the benefit. We will produce the documentary evidence before the Lokayuklta at the next hearing,” he said.