CBI to probe Samajwadi Party scheme for welfare of women labourers' children

New Delhi: The CBI has registered an FIR to probe the alleged misappropriation of funds under the Rs 1,100-crore Sachal Palna Griha Yojana of the previous Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh. [caption id=“attachment_3521405” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. News18[/caption] Officials of the Uttar Pradesh social welfare, building and constructions department allegedly connived with several NGOs to divert funds meant for creches for children of women labourers engaged in the construction sector in the state. The humane scheme was launched by Akhilesh Yadav to provide temporary accommodation to children, aged six and below, of women labourers when they were on the job. The scheme, which was supposed to involve several private NGOs, aimed at providing nutritional food, entertainment and educational facilities to the children. The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had handed over the case to the CBI, saying there was a need to investigate the misappropriation and defalcation of public money during the implementation and operation of the scheme. The court had observed that the departments of the Uttar Pradesh government were “shifting blame” onto each other for the irregularities. The CBI has booked unidentified officials of the Uttar Pradesh State Social Welfare Board, the Uttar Pradesh Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board and several NGOs in connection with the matter.