A significant fraud case involving counterfeit work slips in Haryana is currently under investigation by a committee established by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Labour Minister Anil Vij has estimated the financial losses associated with this scam to exceed Rs 1,500 crore. Reports generated by Deputy Commissioners have indicated that in several districts, more than 97 percent of the work slips examined were found to be either invalid or fraudulent.
These work slips, which serve as verification of 90 days of employment, are crucial for workers as they provide access to various government welfare programs, including pensions, educational assistance, medical support, and housing benefits. The exploitation of these slips indicates that numerous ineligible individuals may have unlawfully benefited from these schemes.
The fraud was first identified by Vij, prompting him to initiate a preliminary investigation. Subsequently, in January, CM Saini formed a high-level inquiry committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation and submitting a detailed report. District-level committees, led by Deputy Commissioners, were also established to physically verify the work slips issued over the past two years.
Findings from the Deputy Commissioners have revealed significant irregularities within the labour welfare system. Almost 90% of the verified work slips under the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board were deemed “fraudulent.”
Recognizing the extent of the scam, Vij noted that the financial repercussions could reach Rs 1,500 crore for the last two years alone, with the potential for further escalation as older records are examined.
The preliminary investigation that Vij initiated uncovered a systemic failure, revealing that only 12 percent of the work slips were legitimate. “The scale of the irregularities is staggering. Out of a total of 21,78,523 work slips assessed, only 2,70,945 (12.4%) were confirmed as valid, while an alarming 19,07,578 (87.6%) were identified as counterfeit,” an official commented.
Vij announced plans to launch a portal to reactivate the IDs of workers whose slips are verified as authentic. “Workers with invalid slips will have an opportunity to submit appeals before designated committees. A high-level committee is currently reviewing the findings and will propose necessary actions. District-level committees led by Deputy Commissioners have finalized investigations across all 22 districts, relying on physical verification to uncover this extensive fraud,” Vij stated.
Initial findings from the reports compiled by the Deputy Commissioners suggest a pervasive network of fraudulent registrations—fake workers were registered using falsified or altered records, and work slips were generated without any actual employment verification. It is alleged that benefits averaging Rs 2.5 lakh per worker were misappropriated by ineligible individuals.
The scam has highlighted weaknesses in a system meant to support construction workers through benefits such as maternity and paternity leave, educational scholarships and reimbursements, housing loans and pensions, as well as medical aid and accident compensation. With such a high incidence of fraudulent beneficiaries, legitimate workers may have been deprived of timely assistance, Vij added.
“While the current investigation is focused on the last two years, records dating back to 2008 are also expected to be examined. If similar irregularities are detected, the total value of the scam could amount to thousands of crores. We will ensure strict action against those responsible, including potential penalties for officials and intermediaries involved in facilitating this fraud,” Vij concluded.
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