Submit details about disbursement of funds: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court lashed out at Karnataka State Labour Welfare Board to metro contractors even after collecting crores of rupees as CESS from builders and Government officials who are engaged in construction.

While hearing a petition filed by Samuel Sathyaseelan, who sought to provide labour welfare to the metro contractors, the bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice H G Ramesh asked the board to explain why the money has not been released to them so far.

As per the submission made by the Board, the court observed that the board, in the last four years, has collected 2400 crores towards CESS. From this only nine crores have been used and the bench said that the board is earning crores of money as interest. The bench also said that most of the money has been spent for death and funerals and very less money is used for marriage, birth and similar functions. The bench then observed: "When the person is dead, where is the welfare of the person coming? It seems the board is interested in death and not on the life of these workers."

The court also expressed anguish over the disbursement of funds. The bench observed:" Even when hundreds of rupees are allocated to the poor and needy it is not often reached them. It is mostly taken by middlemen. This is the problem of our country." The court has also asked the responsible authority from the board to be present for next hearing and submit details about the disbursement of funds.

The court now has asked the boards to explain about non disbursement of funds to workers and also asked the responsible officer to remain present in the court during the next hearing scheduled on August 18.