Haryana Uncovers Massive Work Slip Scam: 90% of Investigated Slips Found Fraudulent
In a shocking revelation, Haryana Labour Minister Anil Vij announced on Friday that a comprehensive probe into a work slip scam has exposed widespread fraud, with approximately 90% of the investigated slips being fraudulent. The investigation, which scrutinized a staggering 21,78,523 work slips, found only 2,70,945 to be genuine, while a massive 19,07,578 were confirmed as fake or invalid.
Outright Loot of State Treasury
Minister Vij described the scam as an outright loot of the state treasury, highlighting the severe financial implications. Each worker registered under these schemes can receive up to Rs 2.5 lakh in government benefits. The fraudulent use of 90-day work receipts to register ineligible individuals has led to substantial losses, prompting urgent government action.
Statewide Investigation and High-Level Committee
The scam, which involves the labour department and came to light last year, was investigated through committees established across all 22 districts of Haryana. These committees, headed by deputy commissioners, were formed following initial reports of large-scale irregularities in the districts of Hisar, Kaithal, and Jind.
In response to the findings, the government has constituted a high-level committee tasked with tracking the exact amount of money disbursed to these fake workers. This move aims to quantify the financial damage and ensure accountability.
Government Measures to Address the Crisis
To mitigate the impact on genuine labourers, Minister Vij announced several corrective measures:
- A portal will soon be reopened to reactivate the IDs of labourers with valid work slips, allowing them to continue receiving benefits without interruption.
- For those whose slips were flagged as invalid, the government will provide a hearing process. This will enable affected individuals to submit representations to a designated authority to prove their eligibility and seek redressal.
The scandal underscores significant vulnerabilities in the state's labour welfare systems, with authorities now focused on tightening controls and preventing future fraud.
