Panjim: Goa Lokayukta Justice (retired) PK Misra on Friday issued a final ultimatum to the State government submit the report pertaining to the alleged irregularities into the financial support scheme offered to building and other construction workers (BOCW) during COVID-19 pandemic.
If the govt fails to submit the same by the September 2 deadline, the Ombudsman body will pass the order.
The State Labour department once again failed to submit the information sought by the Lokayukta; however, an interim report was placed on record. The Lokayukta was not satisfied with the report and sought additional information including that of the private agency hired for registration of the labourers.
The Lokayukta is hearing a complaint filed by GFP 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.
During the hearing held on July 2, the department 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 that the re-verification process has started.
Speaking to media persons, Kamat pointed out that the department failed to produce the final report and relevant files to the Lokayukta and a vague interim report was placed.
“The Lokayukta was not satisfied with the report and hence has given final chance to submit the information till September 2. He has said that failure to produce the information will force him to pass the relevant order in the matter,” Kamat added.
The Lokayukta while admitting the case had stated that there are ‘sufficient’ and ‘reasonable’ grounds to investigate the ‘Labour Gate Scam’. The ombudsman body had also said it will examine whether any investigating agency like ACB or CB can be directed to register an FIR against unknown persons and to carry on investigation to find and prosecute the culprits.
