ABOUT THE WELFARE 'SCAM'
>> Opposition politicians raised a hue and cry after a case of an elected panch in Bardez receiving the aid surfaced
>> Several more such cases surfaced and some returned the money they got to the Labour Department
>> The matter reached the Lokayukta after Goa Forward Party (GFP) functionary formally filed the complaint
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If the investigation directed above point to possible involvement of high officials and politicians, subsequent investigations can be entrusted to the CBI
- The Lokayukta order
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PANAJI: The Lokayukta on Wednesday found substance in the charge that there was a scam in the disbursal of aid to contruction workers during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and asked the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to file a first information report against 'unknown' for the conspiracy.
Issuing its order, the anti-corruption ombudsman also said that in the course of its probe it is found that politicos are involved, then the Central Bureau of Investigation be roped in.
The issue pertains to the disbursal of aid in cash to construction labourers who thrown out of work and in distress during the lockdown imposed to tackle the pandemic.
The corpus funds of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) welfare fund were being used but there were allegations that local elected representatives aligned to the ruling BJP were faking as beneficiaries.
Opposition politicians raised a hue and cry after a case of an elected panch in Bardez receiving the aid surfaced. Several more such cases surfaced and some returned the money they got to the Labour Department.
The matter reached the Lokayukta after Goa Forward Party (GFP) functionary Durgadas Kamat formally filed the complaint.
“If the investigation directed above point to possible involvement of high officials and politicians, subsequent investigations can be entrusted to the CBI,” the Lokayukta said in the order.
