Labour officials ‘tweak’ Aadhaar details to hush up Shagun scam

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 22

In an attempt to cover up the shagun scheme scam in the Labour Welfare Board, the Aadhaar card details of illegitimate beneficiaries have allegedly been changed. In fact, the dates of birth of underage girls have been tweaked in their Aadhaar cards to make them eligible for the benefits.

Notably, the shagun scheme is meant to extend financial help to daughters of construction workers at the time of their marriage. However, the girls are supposed to have attained the marriageable age.

The Tribune, a few months ago, had highlighted that 28 underage girls were wrongly given the benefits.

As Aadhaar card was used as a birth proof to disburse funds, the beneficiaries have now changed their dates of birth in the Aadhaar cards, the copy of which is in the possession of The Tribune.

Significantly, the altered dates of birth are said to have been the handiwork of labour officials, who were under the scanner. Moreover, some changes have been made in school certificates as well.

Last year, the audit of the BOCW Welfare Board had revealed that the state Labour Department had given financial assistance to at least 28 underage girls for their marriage under the Punjab Government’s flagship shagun scheme from 2013 to 2018.

Vijay Walia, Director of the Centre for Social Change and Equity, an organisation fighting for the rights of construction labourers, said, “This is a scam which is being covered up by officials just to save themselves. Action should be taken against such officials and beneficiaries.”

Labour Commissioner Praveen Kumar said, “I am not aware of the issue. However, I will hold a meeting with Assistant Labour Commissioners on Monday to get the details.”

Dates fudged

• Official allegedly changed birth dates of underage girls to make them eligible for shagun scheme
• A few months ago, 28 underage girls were wrongly given the benefits
• A social activist said, “To save themselves, some officials were trying to hush up the matter. Action should be taken against such officials and beneficiaries.”