The Hindu : Sahib Singh Verma has violated code: Congress

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

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Sahib Singh Verma has violated code: Congress

By Our Special Correspondent

The Congress spokesperson, Kapil Sibal, at a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, shows a footage highlighting ``corruption'' in the distribution of social security scheme forms of the Provident Fund Department. — Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI, MARCH 14. The Congress today charged the Union Labour Minister, Sahib Singh Verma, with violating the election code. He also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party supporters had been "openly corrupting the electorate'' through the recently-launched social security scheme for workers in the unorganised sector.

It demanded the removal of Mr. Verma from Ministership for backing the BJP workers who had in Mumbai reportedly distributed the scheme forms that could otherwise be procured only through the Provident Fund Department under the Labour Ministry.

The party spokesperson, Kapil Sibal, said that not only should Mr. Verma be removed but also proceeded against for a clear offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation should take action.

Mr. Sibal said that according to a report telecast by a private news network, the footage of which he showed to the press, BJP workers were seen distributing the scheme forms with the party symbol printed on them. He also claimed that the BJP workers reportedly said that the party would pay the required contribution for those joining the scheme.

He said that as per the scheme it was open to workers in all unorganised sectors drawing up to Rs. 650 a month as wages. It was to be financed by contribution from the workers at the rate of Rs. 50 a month in the 18-35 age group and Rs. 100 a month in the 36-50 age group. The employers would make a matching contribution while the Government would contribute 1.16 per cent of the monthly wage of the workers or up to Rs. 250 a month.

Mr. Sibal said the Labour Minister had defended the BJP workers' move and suggested that anyone was free to contribute. He alleged that offering to pay money to those who were joining the scheme was "nothing short of corruption.''

The Congress had also decided to approach the Election Commission and lodge a complaint, he said.

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