Probe ordered into fake registration of construction workers in Punjab

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 7

The Labour Department has initiated an inquiry after fake registration of construction workers surfaced in Punjab. Suspicion grew when several workers were found registered on a single mobile number.

Middlemen benefit

• Middlemen approach construction workers, assure them of aid
• Take their Aadhaar cards, details
• Taking labour officials in the loop, middlemen fill forms, give their contact number/ bank accounts
• Aid transferred to given accounts, middlemen take the benefit

In a case, 217 workers were registered on a single contact, allegedly in connivance with labour inspectors. It came to light when the Labour Department ordered tele-verification of financial help of Rs 3,000 given by the Punjab Government.

Thousands of workers have been registered on a similar pattern. When The Tribune fact-checked by dialing a contact number on which 141 workers were registered, it was found that the mobile number belonged to a person who was not even a construction worker.

Labour inspectors have been asked to check the irregularities. The department is also planning to map Aadhaar with bank accounts. Sources say fake registration is done by middlemen to usurp benefits. Jatinder Pal Singh, Deputy Secretary, Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, said, “We are verifying the numbers so that benefits reach labourers only.”