Nagpur: Labour minister
Sambhaji Nilangekar on Wednesday defended controversial chairman of construction workers development board Omprakash (Munna) Yadav, but only after moments of acute embarrassment for the government.
Nilangekar was replying to the debate on opposition resolution under section 293 and charges that there was large-scale corruption, wrong-doings in labour welfare schemes. The minister went on to explain how the Supreme Court had in an order sought registration of new construction workers, which had been closed some years ago, and how the board had succeeded in ramping up registrations from 2.5 lakh during previous government to over 9 lakh now.
Jumping to his feet, veteran NCP member Jayant Patil then asked the minister if he could name the chairman of the worker’s board, and whether that person enjoyed minister of state rank. For a few moments the minister was stuck for an answer, and said he would table the information. Patil insisted on a specific answer, and then asked if Munna Yadav, who was named in several criminal cases, was indeed the chairman of the board.
A reluctant Nilangekar then uttered the name of Omprakash Yadav. But he was quick to add that Yadav had done good work and there was some improper perception about him. Nilangekar said details of registrations done and benefits given to workers were available on the official website for public scrutiny.
