*Portal to Be Opened for Valid Workers After Work Slip Probe; IDs to Be Reactivated: Labour Minister Anil Vij*

*Invalid Work Slips/Workers to Be Given Opportunity; They Will Have to Submit Representation: Anil Vij*

*Committees Formed in All 22 Districts Under Deputy Commissioners as per Directions of Labour Minister Anil Vij; Reports Received, Around 90% Work Slips Found Invalid: Vij*

*Out of Total 2,178,523 Work Slips, Only 270,945 Found Valid While 1,907,578 Found Fake: Vij*

Chandigarh, April 3: Haryana Labour Minister, Anil Vij said that a portal will soon be opened and IDs reactivated for workers whose work slips have been found valid following an investigation into irregularities in the Labour Department. He said that workers whose work slips were found invalid will also be given an opportunity for a hearing. Such workers will be required to submit representations before the designated committee or authority.

Sh.Vij informed that reports have been received from committees constituted in all 22 districts under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to probe irregularities related to work slips (90-day work receipts) under the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The investigation revealed that nearly 90% of the work slips were found to be fake.

Out of a total of 2,178,523 work slips examined, only 270,945 were found to be valid, while 1,907,578 were identified as fraudulent.

The Labour Minister said a proposal in this regard had been sent to the Chief Minister and has received approval. The proposal has now been forwarded to a high-level committee constituted by the government for recommendations. The implementation of these recommendations will proceed after approval from the committee.

Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Sh.Vij noted that major irregularities in work slips under the Welfare Board had recently come to light due to vigilant oversight. Preliminary findings suggest that the scam could amount to approximately тВ╣1,500 crore. In view of the gravity of the matter, he had earlier requested the Chief Minister to initiate a thorough probe by a reputed investigation agency. Subsequently, the government directed the formation of a high-level committee to submit a comprehensive report on funds disbursed to fake workers.

*District-Level Verification Conducted Across the State*

Sh.Vij further said that initial investigations were conducted in Hisar, Kaithal, and Jind districts, where large-scale irregularities were detected. Following this, instructions were issued to Deputy Commissioners across all districts to form district-level committees comprising Labour Department officials and three additional officers by Labour Minister.

These committees carried out physical verification of online work slips, confirming that approximately 90% were fake, with only a small proportion found to be genuine.

Sh. Vij said that currently, an investigation has been conducted in 22 districts of the state covering a period of the last two years, whereas this scheme has been in operation since 2008 by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. He said that the work slips of laborers who have availed benefits under the schemes running since 2008 can also be investigated. This suggests that the estimated scam amount of тВ╣1,500 crore for the current two-year period could increase further, potentially reaching thousands of crores. Sh. Vij added that action is also being considered to punish those found guilty in the investigation.

*“Those who are not eligible are availing benefits of the schemes” — Vij*

Sh. Vij said it has become clear that in many places in villages/cities were fraudulently registered and work slips were generated so that ineligible persons could avail benefits of government schemes. On average, a worker receives benefits worth around Rs.2.5 lakh under various schemes, which could result in a massive financial loss to the government. He said that “Those who are not eligible are availing benefits. This is outright loot, causing the government a financial loss running into hundreds of crores.”

*No compromise on corruption at any level; strict action against the guilty — Vij*

He added that Haryana Government implements several welfare schemes for construction workers, including maternity and paternity benefits, education assistance, scholarships, reimbursement for technical education, pensions, marriage assistance, medical aid, housing loans and accident compensation, aimed at empowering genuine workers. These benefits should reach only those workers who are duly registered after verification of at least 90 days of work. The Labour Minister reiterated that there will be no compromise on corruption at any level and strict action will be ensured against those found guilty.

*Various welfare schemes benefit construction workers – Vij*

Sh. Vij outlined the various benefits provided to registered construction workers in Haryana including Maternity benefit of Rs. 36,000, Paternity benefit of Rs. 21,000, Educational financial support for workers’ children ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000 annually (from primary to higher education/PhD), Merit-based scholarships between Rs. 21,000 and Rs. 51,000 for children scoring 60% to 90% in 10th/12th exams, Reimbursement of full academic expenses for children pursuing professional or technical courses as per actual government expenses, Hostel facility aid up to Rs.1.2 lakh for children of workers in vocational institutes, Coaching assistance for vocational courses from Rs.20,000 to Rs.1 lakh, Incentive of Rs. 50,000 for registered workers’ daughters to purchase an electric scooter and Laptop grant of Rs. 49,000 under the CM Shram Yogi Pratibha Yojana.

Additionally, the other benefits, which are being given to the workers including Rs. 5,000 for bicycle purchase, Rs. 8,000 tool grant, Rs. 4,500 for a sewing machine, Rs. 5,100 under the CM Women Construction Worker Samman Scheme, under the Kanyadaan Yojana Rs.1,01,00 for the marriage of up to three daughters of registered workers, Rs. 50,000 for the self-marriage of a female worker, Full reimbursement of actual second-class train or regular bus fare for pilgrimages or visits to historical sites, Reimbursement of travel expenses for visiting one’s ancestral home, Medical assistance including wage compensation based on minimum wage, Financial assistance up to Rs.1 lakh for treatment of Chronic deseases, Disability support ranging from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh, Disability pension of Rs.3,000/month, Rs. 3,000/month for children with disabilities, Old age pension (after age 60) of Rs.3,500/month, Family pension of Rs. 1,750/month, Widow pension of Rs. 3,000/month, Under the Mukymantri Shramik Samajik Suruksha Yojna Rs. 5,15,000 compensation for accidental death at the workplace, Rs. 1.5 to 3 lakh for disability at the workplace for unregistered workers and Rs. 4 lakh in case of death of an unregistered worker at the workplace.

He also said that Interest-free loan up to Rs. 2 lakh for house purchase/construction and Rs. 1,100 incentive under the Mukyamantri Panjikaran Protsahan Yojna. He clarified that to receive these benefits, workers must register with the labour board. Registration is granted only after verification that the worker has been worked for over 90 days.