The State Government has decided to spend over Rs 500 crore for welfare of construction workers and their children under different schemes this year.
Reviewing initiatives taken by the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Board, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked officials to disburse additional Rs 200 crore in next two quarters and ensure that cumulative expenditure crosses Rs 500 crore by March 31, 2017. While the Nirman Shramik Pension Yojana and the Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana started this year, the Government has announced a skill development programme to provide ITI and Polytechnic teaching to children of BOC workers free of cost. Besides, assistance for education and treatment of major ailments is provided to BOC families.
Registered construction workers above 60 years are being provided pension.
Besides, the Government has already taken initiative to set up labour helpdesks in States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and New Delhi.
The Chief Minister advised the labour and ESI Department to enhance registration and coverage of beneficiaries under different welfare schemes on war footing. So far, the Board has spent Rs. 185 crore for benefit of workers since inception.
Chief Minister said disbursement of benefits to workers would be significantly enhanced while emphaising on increasing beneficiaries coverage from present 4 lakh to 7.5 lakhs. He asked to provide social security benefits to all those eligible.
Chief Minster said he would review progress of the department with district Collectors through video-conferencing at regular intervals.