CAG Flags Major Irregularities in Construction Workers’ Welfare Board

Quick summary

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India identified “gross irregularities” in the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (KBOCWWB).
• ₹433.80 crore was released too the Karnataka Slum Growth Board (KSDB) without obtaining a beneficiary list.
• Ineligible workers from unrelated professions, such as tailors, clerks, and weavers, were registered as construction workers and availed benefits.
• Health scheme payments were made to unregistered workers or their dependents, violating rules.
• Registrations of construction workers increased significantly from 7.94 lakh in 2020-21 to 11.95 lakh in 2022-23 due to cash assistance during the COVID pandemic.
• ₹8.74 crore was released for housing schemes without beneficiary details; irregularities found in age qualifications among beneficiaries.
• KBOCWWB lacked a extensive cess database and authority for cess assessment while discrepancies appeared in data from over 42.50 lakh registrations on the Seva Sindhu Portal:

– Age above 60 years during registration was flagged in 1,150 cases.
– Gender column left blank for over three lakh entries.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The CAG’s findings highlight critical lapses across administrative functions within KBOCWWB, ranging from poor validation processes to mismanagement of funds allocated for worker welfare schemes. The absence of robust database systems combined with unchecked registrations undermines clarity crucial for delivering targeted benefits effectively.

Notable increases in worker registrations during the pandemic suggest possible exploitation or loosely regulated enrollment practices intended to disburse immediate aid but may have introduced long-term accountability issues within welfare programs. Misallocation of funds-such as releasing money without obtaining beneficiary lists-raises concerns about financial governance integrity.

Data discrepancies on essential identifiers like age or gender signal systemic inefficiency that can erode public trust and hinder labor rights advancement efforts designed by boards like KBOCWWB. Addressing these gaps will require rigorous verification mechanisms coupled with technological upgrades ensuring compliance with established guidelines.Read more: [Link provided]