Mangaluru: The labour department in Dakshina Kannada cancelled 1,537 fake identity cards issued to non-construction workers through the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

The Mangaluru division of the labour department issued directions to return invalid construction workers’ ID cards or face legal action. Various financial benefits are being provided to beneficiaries registered with the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

In Dakshina Kannada district, a total of 1,42,340 construction workers registered and obtained cards. However, during the Covid-19 period, non-construction workers, motivated by the food and tool kit assistance, registered and obtained construction workers’ ID cards. The govt initiated a campaign to cancel fake cards to ensure that benefits are provided only to genuine workers. So far, 1,537 fake cards were cancelled in the district, the department stated.

If individuals who are not construction workers have obtained an ID card, they are advised to voluntarily return it to the concerned labour inspector’s office. If they do so, no further legal action will be taken against them. Otherwise, records will be reviewed to identify and deregister ineligible individuals, and appropriate legal action will also be taken against them. Legal action will also be taken against those who issue employment certificates to ineligible persons, as stated by the assistant labour commissioner of the Mangaluru division.