Pune | The Maharashtra government has initiated an intensified probe into alleged fraudulent registrations and wage disbursals under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) welfare board in Beed district. State labour minister Akash Fundkar said on Monday that a detailed report on the scam is expected within the next fifteen days. The case involves alleged embezzlement of crores of rupees between March 2020 and February 2026, where several deceased individuals were reportedly registered as construction workers and benefits were disbursed in their names.
The minister said that preliminary scrutiny of around 100 cases found 50 to be genuine, while the remaining are under detailed examination. “A statewide audit of all registrations will be carried out to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said. Maharashtra currently has nearly 32 lakh workers registered under the BOCW welfare board.
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An independent officer has been appointed to lead the investigation, while vigilance teams have already registered cases at 46 locations across the state. Fundkar appealed to citizens to come forward with evidence, stating that the government would ensure strict action against those found guilty.
The issue had been raised in the legislative assembly last week, where it was pointed out that in over 100 cases, individuals who had died years ago were still shown as active workers. These individuals were allegedly paid wages and, in some instances, issued fresh death certificates. There were also claims that some were falsely recorded as having worked abroad. In several cases, agents allegedly extorted up to ₹5 lakh from legal heirs by claiming that workers had died on duty to secure compensation.
Officials explained that registration under the BOCW welfare board is meant for workers aged between 18 and 60 engaged in construction activities. The process requires identity proof, evidence of employment—typically 90 days of work in a year—and payment of a nominal registration fee. Once enrolled, workers are entitled to a range of welfare benefits, including accident compensation, death benefits, pensions, educational assistance for children, maternity benefits, and financial aid for housing and medical needs.
Fundkar acknowledged that the earlier offline registration system had loopholes that allowed such irregularities to occur. He said the process has now been made fully online, with biometric verification introduced to prevent misuse. Officials, agents, or institutions found involved in creating fake documents, signatures, or seals will face stringent action.
Authorities from the labour department confirmed that comprehensive checks are being carried out across all districts. Even as the report is being prepared, inspections are ongoing to detect and prevent similar irregularities elsewhere. Officials indicated that a combination of audit mechanisms, digitised registration, and strengthened vigilance is expected to improve compliance and safeguard welfare funds.
The probe is aimed not only at identifying fraudulent registrations but also at reforming procedures to enhance transparency and accountability. The department has assured that all irregularities will be thoroughly investigated and corrective measures implemented without delay.
In conclusion, the Beed BOCW welfare board probe marks a significant step towards ensuring accountability in worker registrations and protecting welfare funds from misuse. With a report due within 15 days and a statewide audit underway, the government has signaled zero tolerance for fraud. Measures such as online registration and biometric verification are expected to play a key role in preventing similar cases in the future.
