Latest news with #Kumbhar
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Maharashtra labour department to crack down on agents fleecing construction workers in BOCW registration
PUNE : The labour department has said it would take strict action against agents and middlemen who illegally charge construction workers exorbitant fees for registration under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board, despite the official fee being just Re 1. The move came following reports of rampant exploitation at tehsil offices across the state, including a recent case from Junnar taluka in Pune district, where agents demanded up to Rs 1,000 per registration. "Any complaints of overcharging will be dealt with strictly. If a written complaint is filed, we will register an FIR," the board's CEO, Vivek Kumbhar, told TOI. "We are aware of the Junnar case, but a formal complaint is awaited. Workers are encouraged to report such malpractices directly to the board." Kumbhar emphasised the need for awareness. "Workers must know they can register directly and independently. The process is simple, digital, and costs just Re 1," he said. He also urged developers to proactively register their labourers. Several workers confirmed to TOI that middlemen were present at nearly every registration point. Sunita Kale, a daily wage worker from Pune, said: "The agent said the process was too complicated and charged me Rs 800. Later, I realised I could have done it online. It's heartbreaking — every rupee matters to us, but people are fleecing us here." Another worker said, "I urgently needed the registration and paid Rs 1,000, unaware that the actual fee was only Re 1. We feel cheated." Labour rights activists pointed out that without registration, workers are cut off from govt welfare, and this process is their only route to legal protection and dignity. To increase accessibility and reduce exploitation, the Labour Board introduced an online registration system in Feb 2025 confirming that the fee would remain Re 1. Despite this, unscrupulous agents continue to exploit workers unfamiliar with the process. To counter this, the state established 358 Taluka Suvidha Kendras where workers can book slots for biometric verification and document validation. Each centre processes around 150 applications daily, easing the load on district-level offices. Workers can register at developer-run camps, tehsil offices, or online via the Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS). However, in-person verification remains mandatory. "The tehsil offices were started so that it would be easy for workers to come in for verification. The only thing they would require is the mandatory 90-day work certificate, Aadhaar card and bank details, if any," an official said. Since the online facility began, the board has seen a steady flow of registrations. In total, it has 38 lakh active registrations, with an additional 16 lakh applications pending renewal. The surge has, however, led to crowding and loss of daily wages for many workers visiting registration centres. To manage this, the labour department rolled out new efficiency measures, whereby district-assigned late dates would be revised for quicker processing at the taluka level. In districts housing headquarters, additional taluka buildings will serve as worker facilitation centres while staffing has been ramped up, with three data-entry operators and two specialists per district facilitation centre. "All facilities now operate under CCTV surveillance for transparency. A coordination cell at the board level monitors pending applications," said an official.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Labour department to crack down on agents fleecing construction workers in BOCW registration in Maharashtra
Pune: The labour department has said it would take strict action against agents and middlemen who illegally charge construction workers exorbitant fees for registration under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board, despite the official fee being just Re 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move came following reports of rampant exploitation at tehsil offices across the state, including a recent case from Junnar taluka in Pune district, where agents demanded up to Rs 1,000 per registration. "Any complaints of overcharging will be dealt with strictly. If a written complaint is filed, we will register an FIR," the board's CEO, Vivek Kumbhar, told TOI. "We are aware of the Junnar case, but a formal complaint is awaited. Workers are encouraged to report such malpractices directly to the board." Kumbhar emphasised the need for awareness. "Workers must know they can register directly and independently. The process is simple, digital, and costs just Re 1," he said. He also urged developers to proactively register their labourers. Several workers confirmed to TOI that middlemen were present at nearly every registration point. Sunita Kale, a daily wage worker from Pune, said: "The agent said the process was too complicated and charged me Rs 800. Later, I realised I could have done it online. It's heartbreaking — every rupee matters to us, but people are fleecing us here." Another worker said, "I urgently needed the registration and paid Rs 1,000, unaware that the actual fee was only Re 1. We feel cheated." Labour rights activists pointed out that without registration, workers are cut off from govt welfare, and this process is their only route to legal protection and dignity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To increase accessibility and reduce exploitation, the Labour Board introduced an online registration system in Feb 2025 confirming that the fee would remain Re 1. Despite this, unscrupulous agents continue to exploit workers unfamiliar with the process. To counter this, the state established 358 Taluka Suvidha Kendras where workers can book slots for biometric verification and document validation. Each centre processes around 150 applications daily, easing the load on district-level offices. W orkers can register at developer-run camps, tehsil offices, or online via the Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS). However, in-person verification remains mandatory. "The tehsil offices were started so that it would be easy for workers to come in for verification. The only thing they would require is the mandatory 90-day work certificate, Aadhaar card and bank details, if any," an official said. Since the online facility began, the board has seen a steady flow of registrations. In total, it has 38 lakh active registrations, with an additional 16 lakh applications pending renewal. The surge has, however, led to crowding and loss of daily wages for many workers visiting registration centres. To manage this, the labour department rolled out new efficiency measures, whereby district-assigned late dates would be revised for quicker processing at the taluka level. In districts housing headquarters, additional taluka buildings will serve as worker facilitation centres while staffing has been ramped up, with three data-entry operators and two specialists per district facilitation centre. "All facilities now operate under CCTV surveillance for transparency. A coordination cell at the board level monitors pending applications," said an official.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
DoPT initiates probe into ‘fake' certificates submitted by officers of Central services
The Department of Personnel and Training has asked state governments to verify the authenticity of certificates submitted by more than a dozen Central services' officers while availing of various reservations in the Civil Services Examination, The Indian Express has learnt. The DoPT has recently sent more than a dozen letters seeking verification of the certificates, a DoPT source said on condition of anonymity. At least one such letter was sent to the Rajasthan government on May 5 asking for the verification of the income and asset certificate submitted by an IAS officer of 2022 batch. The officer, who is from Rajasthan, was selected under the Economically Weaker Section category and allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as per the letter sent to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary. The DoPT also forwarded the complaint alleging use of fake income and asset certificate by the officer in question, which was forwarded to it by the Union Public Service Commission. 'The State Government is requested to verify the authenticity of I&A certificate issued to [name of the officer] under EWS category,' the DoPT wrote. The letter was shared by RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, who had filed complaints regarding 22 officers with fake certificates of different kinds, such as EWS, SC, ST, persons with benchmark disabilities and OBC non-creamy layer, last year. Kumbhar, who is also associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, said the DoPT had initiated an inquiry into the alleged misuse of reservation certificates by multiple candidates who appeared for the CSE from 2015 to 2023. Kumbhar had also flagged the alleged fake disability certificate used by then-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar last year. The DoPT in September 2024 discharged her from service, finding that she was ineligible to be a candidate in the 2022 exam. Khedkar has challenged the decisions and the matter is pending in court. Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu's national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DoPT directs states to probe complaints of certificate irregularities involving civil services officers
Pune: The department of personnel and training has initiated a comprehensive verification exercise targeting civil services officers, who are accused of securing their positions through alleged irregularities in reservation certificates. This follows complaints by activists from across the country, including one by Pune-based RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar. He has flagged irregularities in the selection of candidates recruited between 2015 and 2023 through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A DoPT official, who did not wish to be named, told TOI, "Verification letters have been dispatched to various state govts, including Maharashtra." He, however, avoided getting into the numbers and the specifics of the cases under scrutiny. Kumbhar said he has received copies of DoPT letters covering 15 officials currently under investigation, which includes 11 from Indian Administrative Service (IAS), two from Indian Police Service, one from Indian Foreign Service, and one from Indian Revenue Service. "The complaints allege misuse of certificates across various reservation categories, including economically weaker sections (EWS), persons with benchmark disabilities, other backward classes–non-creamy layer, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes," he said. The verification has begun across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala. At the Central level, the ministry of home affairs, department of revenue, and the ministry of external affairs are among the departments tasked with verifying records of candidates now serving in their respective cadres. Among the 15 complaints, one involves a Maharashtra-cadre official. Senior state govt officials confirmed receiving the verification request and assured due diligence in investigating the alleged certificate irregularities. "Since the candidate has been appointed to IAS under EWS category, state govt is requested to verify the authenticity of the certificate issued to the official under EWS category and provide their comments to this department," stated the letter sent by Anshuman Mishra, under secretary, ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions, DoPT, on May 5. A copy was marked to Kumbhar. Kumbhar said the misuse of reserved category benefits in civil services recruitment not only violates constitutional provisions but also deprives genuinely deserving candidates of their rightful opportunities. "Govt must act swiftly to prevent this pattern from continuing." He highlighted particular vulnerabilities in EWS category, which relies on self-declared income limits of Rs 8 lakh per annum and loosely defined asset thresholds. "Ambiguity in eligibility norms makes it easier to manipulate the system." Kumbhar has urged Central govt, DoPT, and UPSC to undertake comprehensive structural reforms in the selection and post-selection verification. His key recommendations include real-time validation of caste, income, and domicile certificates through integration of UPSC systems with state databases, mandatory post-selection audits of reservation claims before final appointments, and strict penal provisions against candidates and certifying authorities found guilty of irregularities.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
DoPT asks Rajasthan government to probe income certificate of IAS officer
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked the Rajasthan government to probe the authenticity of Income and Asset (I&A) certificate submitted by an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer which he used to avail the Economically Weaker Sections' (EWS) quota while appearing for the Civil Services Examination in 2021. The officer, a domicile of Rajasthan, was selected for the IAS in the year 2022 and was allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Following a complaint by Vijay Kumbhar, a Pune-based social activist who is also associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the DoPT on May 5 asked the Rajasthan government to 'verify the authenticity of I&A certificate' issued to the officer 'under EWS category' and sought its comments. A copy of the letter is marked to the Madhya Pradesh government. A response from the DoPT is awaited. DoPT is the cadre controlling authority of IAS officers. According to Mr. Kumbhar, who was the first to complain against IAS probationer Puja Khedkar who was sacked in 2024 for allegedly submitting fake Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificates and Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates to clear the 2022 civil services exam, there are at least 15 serving officers in various services who are facing the probe for misusing the reservation through fraudulent documents. He said he wrote to the President of India in August 2024 highlighting the irregularities in certificates submitted by 22 candidates under various reserved categories such as EWS, PwBD, Other Backward Classes-Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) between 2015 and 2023. 'Initially when I wrote to the President, I did not get a response. However, when I started filing Right to Information (RTI) applications, the DoPT initiated the probe against documents submitted by 15 officers which include 11 IAS, two Indian Police Service (IPS), one Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and one Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officers,' Mr. Kumbhar said. 'The current probe, spanning Civil Services Examination candidates over nearly a decade, highlights a pattern of misuse that can no longer be dismissed as isolated or exceptional,' Mr. Kumbhar said. On July 26 last year, the DoPT initiated an enquiry against six civil servants including probationers to re-examine their disability parameters. The enquiry followed after several posts on social media questioned the sanctity of PwBD quota as social media profiles of the officers showed them dancing, playing sports and other outdoor activities, in contravention to the physical condition described by them in official records. The IAS and IRS officers cleared the exams in 2010, 2014, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Former IAS officer Sanjeev Gupta said that the cadre allocation of officers must show the EWS and PwBD categories against their names like it is done in the case of SC and ST officers.
