PANAJI
: The one-time monetary relief meant for registered construction workers in Goa has been diverted to BJP office bearers said
the Goa Forward Party
here on Tuesday. The NDA ally said that Rs 13.15 crore monetary package for building and other construction (GOBC) workers has turned out to be a “multi-crore” scam with residents of
Sanquelim
and
Bicholim
being the biggest beneficiaries.
Goa's chief minister
Pramod Sawant represents Sanquelim constituency.
While Goa labour and employment minister Jennifer Monserrate had announced that Rs 6,000 would be disbursed to construction workers through direct benefit transfers, GFP vice president Durgadas Kamat, quoting government data, said that at least five individuals were paid Rs 1 lakh each and one individual was paid Rs 9 lakh under the scheme.
“This clearly shows that the BJP has used the labour welfare fund for the welfare of their workers. This is a multi-crore scam and we will send this to the prime minister so that he knows what the BJP is doing,” said Kamat.
Kamat also said requested the Goa Lokayukta to take suo moto cognizance of the allegations and initiate an inquiry.
“Some people did not that their names were on the list. Some people’s names and numbers did not match when we called them. Some people were not even aware that they had applied for the scheme. Some say that they did not receive any money and others claimed that they sell chicken and mutton. Most of the beneficiaries are in Sanquelim and Bicholim,” said Kamat.
In the aftermath of the nationwide lockdown, all registered construction workers were to get 15-day wages of a semi-skilled workers under
the Goa Building
and Other Construction (GOBC) Workers Welfare Board Assistance Scheme as an emergency measure.