By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while addressing a convention of construction workers, announced various facilities for the construction workers including pension, housing assistance, medical treatment facility, aid in case of accident, assistance to the families of workers in case of their death and assistance for performing last rites. Construction workers drawn from all over the state attended it.
The benefit of pension scheme would be provided to workers of 60 years of age who have completed 6 years of service. They would get a pension of Rs. 300 per month. In the event of the death of a construction worker his widow would get a pension of Rs. 300 per month lifelong. In case of permanent disability of a worker he would get a pension of Rs. 300 per month and the same facility would be available to his widow after his death.
The Chief Minister said that the state government belongs to the poor and workers. It is the common man and poor workers who need the maximum help from government. He said that the state government has given top priority to welfare of the poorest of the poor and most backward people. He said that farmers, workers and artisans play a key role in the prosperity of the state and it is the paramount duty of the government to ensure their well being. He said that no laxity or negligence in the implementation of welfare schemes for them would be tolerated and stringent action would be taken against persons responsible for this.
Chouhan said that under housing assistance the workers would be provided maximum grant of Rs. 25,000 on obtaining loan of upto Rs one lakh from financial institutions for purchasing a housing plot or a built up house for construction of a house on private land. Under medical facility medical facilities within the financial limits prescribed by the health department would be provided to workers undergoing treatment in government hospitals and notified private hospitals. In case of accidental death of a worker after registration his kin would get ex-gratia of Rs. One lakh and Rs 2000 additionally for performing last rites. In case of permanent disability assistance of Rs. 75,000 would be given.
The Chief Minister said that assistance of up to Rs. three lakh would be given to workers for treatment of serious diseases. He said that in case of normal death the kin of the deceased worker would get Rs. 25,000 assistance and Rs. 2000 additionally for performing the last rites.
Chouhan said that the state government has made a provision of awarding scholarship to the wards of workers right from first standard to 12th standard and then for higher education. He also informed about the awards to be given as incentive to meritorious wards of the workers.
The Chief Minister said that under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana assistance of Rs six thousand is given. The amount has been increased to Rs. 10,000 for marriages of daughters of the workers.
Chouhan referred to Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana, Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Janni Suraksha Yojana, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Upchar Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Annapuran Yojana and announced that the benefit of these schemes would be provided to the construction workers and their families.
The Chief Minister called upon the workers to come forward to get pattas of their jhuggis under Mukhya Mantri Ashray Yojana.
The Chief Minister lauded the labour department for doing commendable work in the interest of workers. He announced to sanction additional staff for the department.
Chouhan gave away cheques to 28 beneficiaries under social security schemes of construction workers on the occasion. The Chief Minister also released a folder of the Workers Welfare Board, compilations of the new labour policy, annual report of the Board for year 20076-08 and a compilation of social security schemes for construction workers.
The Labour Minister Jagdish Dewda expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for holding the convention of construction workers and the initiatives to solve their problems. He informed that so far 7 lakh construction workers have been registered in the state. Construction Cess of Rs. 180 crore is deposited with the Construction Workers Welfare Board which is being utilised for extending the welfare schemes for construction workers. He informed that a sum of Rs. 15 crore has been distributed as benefit to 40,000 workers under various schemes. He urged for sanction of staff in 19 districts.
Hari Singh Parmar from Indore, who attended the convention as a representative of the construction workers demanded pension facility and Moorat Singh demanded housing facility for the workers. ([email protected])