Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a series of welfare measures which include a mandatory break from 12 noon to 3 pm to protect them from extreme heat and annual health check for them. Additionally, 3,000 water kiosks will be set up in and around construction sites across Delhi to ensure access to clean drinking water. She was addressing an event to felicitate workers on the International Labour Day on Wednesday.
Addressing the event, the chief minister said the Delhi government will also ensure that the workers are provided rest from 12 noon to 3 pm when the day is intensely warm, and bring out a notification for it. Highlighting various initiatives undertaken by her government in the past two months after coming to power in Delhi, Gupta said the scheme for health check up will include all workers and their families.
The chief minister said that all laboursof Delhi will now receive free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh under Ayushman Bharat Yojna. Through the Ayushman Card, labours will have access to free treatment in any government or private hospital across India. Additionally, the ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’ has been launched for citizens above 70 years of age. The Delhi government will bear the cost of their treatment, testing, and medications up to Rs 10 lakhs.
CM Gupta stated that until now, there was no dedicated system in Delhi for the welfare of labours, gig labours, domestic helpers, taxi and auto drivers. But now, separate welfare boards will be formed for all these groups—the Labours Welfare Board, Gig Labours Board, Domestic Helpers Board, and Taxi-Auto Drivers Welfare Board. The Delhi government will now be responsible for the welfare, safety, and rights of all these groups
The chief minister further said the Delhi government has decided to establish 100 ‘Atal Canteens’ throughout the city, where the poor will receive nutritious meals for just Rs 5. Gupta highlighted the ‘Palna Yojana,’ emphasizing the Delhi government’s commitment to supporting hardworking women labours—whether at construction sites, in households, or other workplaces—who have young children.
On this occasion, Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, stated,”For the first time in seven years, such a grand event has been organized by the Delhi Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to honour our workers.