Vigilance probe into welfare board claims since 2018, 2 officials suspended | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The state govt has ordered a comprehensive vigilance inquiry into claims cleared by the Telangana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board since 2018 amid allegations of large-scale irregularities, with two officials already suspended based on preliminary findings.Labour minister Vivek Venkataswamy said on Thursday that the vigilance investigation would examine alleged irregularities in compensation claims and submit its report within the next one or two months. He warned that action would be taken against all those found responsible, regardless of their position.Addressing the media at the secretariat, the minister said the labour department would be overhauled to safeguard workers’ welfare funds and improve transparency in the functioning of the welfare board.As part of the exercise, officials who have remained in the same posts for extended periods would be transferred, while the scrutiny and approval process for compensation claims would be tightened to prevent misuse, he said.The inquiry will probe allegations that some claims were processed using forged documents, including fake death certificates. The govt, he said, was committed to ensuring that welfare funds reached genuine beneficiaries and that every rupee meant for workers was properly accounted for.Vivek also rejected reports that a compensation claim had been approved based on his recommendation letter. Clarifying his role, he said he had merely asked officials to examine the application as per rules.“Since the application did not comply with the rules, it was rejected and no compensation was paid,” he said, urging media organisations to verify facts before publishing reports.The minister further said the department would launch efforts to recover hundreds of crores of rupees in pending labour cess dues from companies and builders, along with applicable penalties.