PAC points out mess in Maha Labour Board

The state legislature’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has made several remarks about the financial mismanagement in Maharashtra labour board.

The report also raises questions over the Board's failed laptop distribution scheme and the medical aid provided to the family members of labourers.

The PAC report was tabled on Friday in the Maharashtra Assembly.

The Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board (Mahakamgar) has deposits worth Rs 4,200 crore and it can function even on the interest earned on it, still there are severe mismanagement related issues, stated the PAC report.

The report has pointed out that the board does not keep all the records of funds which are received and disbursed; hence it is difficult to audit the board's annual reports.

The Board is supposed to submit its budgetary plans to the state government every year but never did so, mentions the PAC report.

The Board assured the public accounts committee during the meeting that it would carry out audits of its various schemes – its report should be submitted before the PAC in next three months, recommended the PAC report.

The report has also raised doubts over some schemes of the state government, which have eventually failed to benefit the needy labourers.

In January 2014, the then state government had purchased 50 laptops at a total cost of Rs 23.80 lakh but none of it was distributed ever.

The CAG report had stated that the Board failed to ascertain the beneficiaries, which is upheld by the PAC.

The committee further stated that without any outline of the scheme or criteria – laptops were purchased.

The board is supposed to submit its budgetary plans to the state government every year but never did so, according to the Public Accounts Committee report