Saini constitutes 3-member committee to probe labour department ‘scam’ flagged by Vij

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini orders high level probe into labour department irregularities flagged by minister Anil Vij (File Photo)

Taking note of the alleged irregularities related to the verification of work slips and registration of workers in the Haryana Labour Department as flagged by the Labour Minister Anil Vij earlier this week, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Thursday, directed that a high-level inquiry committee be constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Saini said that the committee will submit its detailed report to the government within one month.

Although Vij had told the media persons that he had written to the Chief Minister seeking “independent investigation” into the matter, Saini clarified that “no such letter has yet been received” by the Chief Minister Office (CMO).

“Nevertheless, a file on the issue was presented by the department, in which the Chief Minister was informed that the department had constituted a committee to investigate the matter and that reports from 13 districts had been prepared, while reports from the remaining nine districts were pending. Therefore, the department stated that a complete report would be submitted after receiving reports from the remaining districts,” a government spokesperson said.

The spokesperson further said that the Chief Minister took the issue seriously and returned the file the very next day, directing the Labour Minister to submit a complete report from all districts along with accurate figures of financial loss. However, the report is still pending.

“The issue pertains to construction workers and the benefits provided to them under various schemes of the Labour Department. It has been alleged that the works on which these individuals claimed to have laboured were not genuine, thereby casting doubt on their registration as building and construction workers. Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the Chief Minister has constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Pankaj Aggarwal, IAS, Rajiv Rattan, IAS, and Pankaj Nain, IPS, as members”, the spokesperson added.

The committee will investigate the entire matter and ascertain the irregularities committed by various officers and other individuals. In addition, it will also recommend corrective or preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

“After examining all facts, the committee will submit its report within one month”, the spokesperson said.