BRS exposes scam in TOMCOM’s overseas job placements, seeks refund for candidates

The BRS accused the Congress government of facilitating an alleged overseas employment scam through TOMCOM, claiming hundreds paid Rs 4.1 lakh each for Germany placements but fewer than 10 were sent. It demanded a probe, refunds and action against those responsible.

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) accused the Congress government of using the Telangana Overseas Manpower Company (TOMCOM) to facilitate a fraudulent overseas employment scam. The party said hundreds of job aspirants were charged hefty fees, promising them jobs in Germany suited to their qualifications, only to be cheated.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, BRS general secretary and former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar said TOMCOM placed advertisements in newspapers promising jobs in Germany in fields including technical services, warehousing, nursing, mechatronics and driving. Candidates were charged Rs 4.1 lakh each for training and placement, but fewer than 10 of the hundreds who enrolled were sent to Germany, even after clearing the required B1-level German language examination.

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He alleged that candidates were made to sign agreements with Fair Street, a private company, rather than TOMCOM, and were subsequently directed to approach the company for refunds. Candidates were also asked to pay an additional Rs 20,000 for examination slot bookings in Chennai, besides bearing travel and other expenses, he said.

“Money was collected in installments. Candidates mortgaged and sold their properties to bear the expenses as they believed that a State-run company will not cheat them. But technically, the entire process was outsourced to a company close to SHAKTI (Labour) Minister G Vivek Venkataswamy,” he added.

Praveen Kumar alleged that some candidates were offered jobs different from those advertised. In one case, a candidate who went to Germany for a technical job was allegedly forced to work in meat processing and returned to India. He demanded a probe into the recruitment process and disclosure of the names of candidates placed abroad, their jobs and destinations.

He also wanted Labour Minister G Vivek Venkataswamy and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to apologise publicly. He asked the government to ensure that all affected candidates receive refunds and register criminal and cheating cases against those responsible. The BRS would pursue legal action, including cases alleging criminal breach of trust and proceedings before the consumer forum, he said.

The BRS leader also questioned the selection of Fair Street over the earlier agency, Magic Billion, and alleged irregularities in a separate Rs 150-crore insurance contract in the Labour Department involving another company, Trailblazer. He sought an explanation for the alleged irregularities, including claims involving fake FIRs.

Calling the episode a betrayal of unemployed youth who trusted a government-backed recruitment agency, he said the BRS would continue its fight until the candidates received justice.