SVC orders probe into Labour Department fraud in Doda

The Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission (SVC) has ordered a probe into charges that officials of the Labour Department in Doda district was illegally collecting hefty amounts as renewal fee from labourers and construction workers.
Acting on a complaint filed against officials of the Labour Department, SVC has directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Doda to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations and submit a report, an SVC spokesman said today.
The complainant had alleged that hefty amounts were being collected from labourers and construction workers as renewal fee through an organised network of agents fixed by the officials of the Labour Department.

The complainant claimed Rs 1,000 was being collected from each worker whereas the government-fixed fee was Rs 120.
During examination of various documents submitted with the complaint and after hearing the officials concerned, SVC observed that while the counterfeits of the receipt of fee from labourers showed only amount of Rs 120, the main receipt had been left blank and discarded instead of being issued to labourers, thereby prima facie indicating possible embezzlement, the spokesman said.
Earlier, the Commission had rejected the explanatory report of the Assistant Labour Commissioner concerned, who could not justify the discrepancies in record maintenance pertaining to fee collection and ordered a probe.