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The scam came to light following a preliminary internal inquiry ordered by Vij after severe anomalies were detected across multiple districts. Initial findings flagged gross irregularities in at least six districts—Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Faridabad, Kaithal and Bhiwani—prompting the minister to expand the probe statewide.
Chandigarh: An alleged ₹1,500-crore scam has surfaced in Haryana’s labour department, with senior cabinet minister Anil Vij formally urging Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to order a comprehensive investigation into large-scale irregularities linked to the fake registration of construction workers to illegally avail government welfare benefits.
The scam came to light following a preliminary internal inquiry ordered by Vij after severe anomalies were detected across multiple districts. Initial findings flagged gross irregularities in at least six districts—Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Faridabad, Kaithal and Bhiwani—prompting the minister to expand the probe statewide. “I recently chaired a meeting of the labour department during which irregularities were found not only in the appointment of labour board members but also in the distribution of benefits under schemes meant for construction workers,” Vij said in a statement.
Statewide Verification Uncovers Massive Fraud
Following the discovery, district-level verification committees were constituted across Haryana around four months ago. These committees—comprising labour department officials and three other district officers—were tasked with conducting physical verification of online work slips issued between August 2023 and March 2025.
According to Vij, verification has been completed at 100% in 13 districts, while scrutiny is ongoing in the remaining districts. The committees examined the existence of worksites, actual participation in construction activities, employer credentials, local inquiries, and on-site inspections.
During the verification period, the government temporarily suspended Right to Service (RTS) timelines, directed Saral centres not to accept fresh applications, and issued advisories across grievance redressal platforms. However, the minister clarified that pensions and urgent assistance related to deaths, accidents, and funerals were not halted and continued as a priority.
Shocking Numbers: 5.46 Lakh Work Slips Found Illegal
The scale of the alleged scam is staggering. Out of 5,99,758 work slips issued in 13 districts, only 53,249 were found valid, while 5,46,509 were declared illegal. Similarly, of 2,21,517 worker registrations, merely 14,240 were eligible, with 1,93,756 found to be fake.
The districts where verification has been completed include Rewari, Nuh (Mewat), Mahendragarh, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Palwal, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonipat, Karnal, Panchkula, Sirsa and Kaithal.
‘Entire Villages Falsely Registered’
Elaborating on the modus operandi, Vij said investigations revealed that in several areas, entire villages were falsely shown as construction workers, enabling ineligible individuals to corner benefits meant exclusively for genuine labourers. “On average, a registered worker receives benefits of up to ₹2.5 lakh under various schemes. This has resulted in financial losses running into hundreds of crores. Those who are not eligible are availing benefits—this is outright loot,” Vij said.
Welfare Schemes Under Scanner
The welfare schemes allegedly misused include maternity and paternity benefits, education assistance and scholarships, technical education reimbursements, pensions, marriage assistance, medical aid, housing loans, accident compensation and interest-free housing loans. These benefits are legally available only to workers registered after verification of at least 90 days of construction work.
The minister asserted that strict action will be taken against all those found guilty, stressing that the government would not tolerate corruption at any level. “There will be no compromise on corruption. Accountability will be fixed, and those responsible will face the strictest action under the law,” Vij said.
The revelations are expected to trigger a full-fledged probe into one of the biggest welfare-linked scams in Haryana, raising serious questions about systemic checks, political patronage, and the misuse of public funds meant for the state’s most vulnerable workers.
