The Janashakti Nirman Shramik Sabha (JNSS) here flayed the BJD Government for its failure to fulfill the commitments made to the construction workers pertaining to their welfare.
In a Press briefing here, its president Rabi Das said keeping in view the forthcoming elections, the State Government has declared a special package for the construction workers. However, it seems to be eyewash and a ploy to gain cheap publicity, he alleged.
Das said the BJD Government has only tried to lure the innocent construction workers by bringing out for them a list of sops, but in reality, none of the beneficiaries has got any benefits. The applications of the beneficiaries are pending unaddressed in the labour offices for months.
Das further said that though there are more than 80 lakh construction workers in the State, but very surprisingly, hardly one lakh have been registered. The Government has not been taking any step for the enrollment of the left out workers, he asserted, adding that due to the callousness of the Government, cheques worth Rs 80 crore collected for the workers’ welfare from various construction companies are now thrown to dustbins as they could not be deposited in banks in stipulated time.
Das warned that if the present state of affairs continues, the construction workers will be forced resort to an agitation before the labour offices and gherao the Assembly.
Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo and JNSS advisor lamented that despite availability of huge funds for the welfare of the construction workers, the benefits are not provided to the actual beneficiaries. It is only because of the lack of willpower of the Government, he maintained and urged the Government to restructure the welfare board taking representation from different organisations and unions, who have been working in the field, instead of making it as the rehabilitation centre of the party leaders. He also urged for a separate cell for the construction workers in district and State levels. He warned the Government to take appropriate steps to facilitate all the benefits to the beneficiaries as per rules within 90 days or else the JNSS will launch a Statewide demonstration at Bhubaneswar in consultation with other organizations. Among others, JNSS general secretary BN Das and several committee members were present.