Superhumans or super-scam? Workload wonders raise Vij’s eyebrows, prompt probe in Haryana
Haryana Energy, Labour and Transport Minister Anil Vij, who is known for his impromptu stopovers to gather first-hand information about his departments, has ordered a state-wide verification of work receipts of registered workers to detect fake registrations in the Labour Department. The minister’s order came after he sensed a scam in the department to the tune of hundreds of crores.
How did the matter come to light?
As per information, during a meeting of the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, the minister was told that, during the verification of the 90-day work receipts of labourers, 11,96,759 receipts were verified between August 2023 and March 2025 — raising the minister’s eyebrows. During this period, in Hisar alone, 1,45,582 work receipts were verified. A single gram sachiv verified 84,741 applications in just three months. The minister said this indicated corruption as the work was not humanly possible. A three-member committee was then constituted. The panel investigated verified work receipts from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, from six districts (Hisar, Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa, Faridabad, and Bhiwani), and found numerous irregularities, which prompted the minister to order a state-wide inquiry.
What benefits are extended by the government to registered workers?
The government had implemented various welfare schemes for building and other construction workers in the state. The government provides financial assistance for the education of beneficiaries’ children, and marriage; medical expenses; maternity benefits; and pensions. But, to avail these benefits, workers must be registered with the labour board. The registration is granted only after verifying that a person has served for over 90 days as a construction worker.
What concerns has the minister raised?
The minister said, upon reviewing the report, it was clear that most of these work receipts were fraudulently created, with some registered workers receiving benefits under various departmental schemes, leading to potential financial losses of several hundred crores for the government. There were also preliminary indications that well-to-do people were availing benefits of these schemes, and workers of a political party were allegedly among the fake beneficiaries. However, exact details can be ascertained only in the investigation report.
What directions have been issued to DCs?
Deputy Commissioners have been asked to form a three-member committee to examine these work slips. This committee will include a representative from the Labour Department, and two nominated, independent gazetted officers. They will verify, through physical inspection in every village/town, the criteria followed in the registration and the work receipt verification processes.
What next?
Vij has ordered Deputy Commissioners to submit reports in three months. After getting the reports, the minister is likely to recommend an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, or seek a CBI inquiry in the matter.
Haryana Tribune