In an attempt to improve the condition of registered workers Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched 14 new schemes for them including providing then subsidized nutritious food, free bi-cycles and financial assistance for construction of their houses.
The government also introduced two new schemes of solar lighting system and crèche for families having small children. The Government also increased the insurance cover of the registered labourers from Rs one lakh to Rs 5 lakh. They would also be given Rs 3 lakh as compensation in case they are disabled in an accident at work place.
“The state government is committed to provide social security to the registered industrial workers. They eke out their living by working from dawn to dusk and live in a pitiable condition. It is Government’s responsibility to ensure they live a decent life so we are launching these new schemes,” Yadav said here on Friday.
He also declared that labour department would provide nutritious food at subsidized rate to the workers. “They deserve good food and to start with the government would provide lunch at affordable price. Canteens would be set up where the workers would get nutritious food,” Yadav said and added: “These workers would also be given “dahi” from Parag.”.
The workers are first pillar of development process of the state and government will take care of all their needs. '' Government is contemplating to provide pension and to set up schools for the children of the workers,'' he said while adding that more workers should be registered in the state to avail these benefits.
“Uttar Pradesh is the first state that worked for economic empowerment of these workers. Over 300 bank branches were opened in one day in UP. This was done with an aim to ensure that workers could open their bank accounts,” Chief Minister said.
UP labour minister Shahid Manjoor said that till date 14 lakh workers are registered with the government and the target is to make it 25 lakhs.''We will be spending around Rs 2000 per worker annually in the state for their social security,'' he said.
UP ministers Shivpal Singh Yadav and Ahmed Hassan also addressed the gathering.
later the CM distributed cheques of financial assistance to 12 labourers for renovation of their houses. The relief ranged from Rs 50,000 to Rs 15,000. Yadav also distributed 500 bicycles to the beneficiaries in the function.