ACB probe into labour scam only if needed: Goa CM

PANAJI: CM minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the state government will ask the anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the directorate of vigilance to investigate into the Covid-relief labour scam only if the need is felt.
“I have asked the labour department to process the Lokayukta order and if necessary it will be sent to the ACB,” Sawant said.
Goa Lokayukta, Justice (retd) P K Misra had directed the ACB to investigate the Covid relief scheme for Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW).
He also said to file an FIR against those who siphoned off funds meant for labourers.
In the order, Misra also stated that if the role of politicians and high-ranking officials was found, the investigation should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“An FIR shall be filed by the ACB against unknown persons for conspiracy to siphon out money from the Goa BOCW welfare fund..., with a view to distributing largesse by stuffing the beneficiary register of the fund with beneficiaries who are not BOCWs,” Misra stated in the order.
Misra has also stated that the CAG should look into the functioning of the labour welfare fund, specifically the payments made to beneficiaries under Covid-19 schemes.