Sensing scam worth crores, Vij orders probe into work receipts

Sensing a scam to the tune of several hundreds of crores in the state, state Labour Minister Anil Vij has issued directions to conduct a verification of work receipts of registered workers across the state to detect fake registrations.

Vij said the government had implemented various welfare schemes for the building and other construction workers in the state. Even for higher education, marriage and medical expenses, the government gave benefits, but for that, the workers must be registered with the labour board. The registration was granted only after verification that the person had worked for over 90 days as a construction worker.

The minister said it had been brought to his notice that during the verification of the 90-day work receipts of labourers, 11,96,759 receipts were verified between August 2023 and March 2025 — a task that appeared impossible — and it became evident that most of the verifications were fake, indicating large-scale corruption. He stated that during this period, in Hisar alone, 1,45,582 work receipts were verified. A gram sachiv alone verified 84,741 applications in three months. The employee, in fact, verified 2,646 receipts in one day. Similarly, a Faridabad labour inspector verified 2,702 receipts, of which 1,918 belonged to Sonepat district. Upon reviewing the report, it was found that most of the work receipts were fake, and these “registered” workers were receiving benefits under various departmental schemes.

“Several irregularities came to my notice in the implementation of various welfare schemes for building and other construction workers in the state. After the matter came to my notice, a three-member committee was constituted to investigate the verified work receipts for three months (November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025) from the districts of Hisar, Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa, Faridabad, and Bhiwani. The committee found numerous irregularities, therefore, action has been ordered. The Advocate General has also been instructed to initiate criminal proceedings against the guilty,” he stated.

“It has been decided that physical verification/investigation of the work receipts will be conducted in every district. Directions have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners across Haryana to form a three-member committee to examine the work slips of registered workers and submit their reports within three months,” the minister said.

“It appears that someone has been running a racket, as it is unrealistic for people from across the state to register at a single location. Fake registrations were made for people associated to a particular party, who are now reaping benefits from government schemes without being eligible, thereby defrauding the government. It appears that a scam worth several hundred crores of rupees is taking place. Strict action will be initiated against the guilty,” the Cabinet minister warned.

Fake registrations

*11,96,759 receipts were verified between August 2023 and March 2025, and it was found that most verifications were fake, indicating large-scale corruption

*Committee was constituted to investigate receipts in Hisar, Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa, Faridabad and Bhiwani districts

*Directions issued to Deputy Commissioners to form committee to examine work slips of registered workers and submit their reports within three months

Haryana Tribune