PANAJI
Anti-Corruption Branch of the Department of Vigilance on Tuesday commenced the preliminary enquiry into the ‘Labourgate’ scam related to alleged misappropriation of Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Fund.
ACB sprung into action after receiving the relevant files documenting the financial and administrative procedures concerning the issue from the Labour Department of the State government.
On November 20, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant approved an investigation by the ACB into the matter. The file to this effect had been forwarded to the Labour department for further action into the matter.
It may be recalled that former Goa Lokayukta Justice (retd) PK Misra, had recommended a probe by the ACB in what is now being dubbed as the “labourgate”. It has been alleged that irregularities have occurred in disbursal of funds earmarked for distribution to Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) and that these funds were allegedly granted to fake beneficiaries who did not fulfill the criteria. As per his findings, the Lokayukta had directed the ACB to file an FIR against unknown persons for conspiracy to siphon off the funds and for fraudulently benefiting from it.
