Serious allegations have been levelled against the previous BJP government in Himachal Pradesh over the alleged misuse of ₹172 crore from the HP Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board during the 2021–22 election year. The matter came under sharp scrutiny during a review meeting of the Board held today.
Board Chairman Nardev Singh Kanwar raised concerns over the abrupt registration of 72,260 workers during that year. He questioned the legitimacy of these registrations and directed District Labour Welfare Officers to submit detailed reports on the criteria used. Based on these reports, explanations will be sought from officers posted during that period, and strict action will be taken if their responses are unsatisfactory.
Kanwar also highlighted that dues worth ₹204 crore for genuine workers from the same period remain pending. He alleged that while eligible beneficiaries were deprived, funds were hurriedly distributed to newly registered and potentially ineligible individuals—suggesting that the Board was used as a political tool by the BJP in the run-up to elections.
Investigations so far have uncovered 38 cases of fake worker registrations, with FIRs already registered in Hamirpur, Bhoranj, Barsar, and Sujanpur police stations. As a result, nine fake beneficiaries have voluntarily returned ₹6 lakh to the Board, fearing punishment under the Board’s Act, which prescribes up to 10 years’ imprisonment for fraudulent claims.
According to official data, ₹92.33 crore was distributed to workers in 2021–22 alone, including ₹32 crore for marriage assistance, ₹44 crore for education, ₹1.3 crore for medical aid, ₹8.65 crore on death benefits, and ₹5.24 crore for maternity support. Additionally, ₹79.29 crore was disbursed in just eight months of the following financial year (April–October 2022), before the model code of conduct came into force.
The Chairman accused the previous BJP government of using the Workers Welfare Board for electoral gains, especially by fast-tracking financial assistance to certain beneficiaries in the months leading up to the elections.
In contrast, after coming to power, the Congress-led government has implemented a more transparent system. Registration has been made mandatory through the Him Parivar Portal, and under this new system, 14,913 new workers have been registered and ₹66 crore has been disbursed as assistance to verified beneficiaries.
A comprehensive inquiry is currently underway to verify the eligibility of all workers who received benefits during the election year. The Board has committed to bringing out the truth and taking appropriate legal action wherever necessary.
