LUCKNOW, April 18 -- In a tough stance, the Uttar Pradesh government has moved to cancel the licences of 203 contractors linked to 24 factories in Gautam Buddha Nagar for labour law violations, while also initiating steps to recover workers' dues and blacklist the agencies concerned, a spokesperson said.

Additional labour commissioner Rakesh Dwivedi said the role of several contractors came under scrutiny following recent incidents of vandalism and unrest involving workers engaged by them. Penalty notices totalling Rs.1.16 crore have been issued to contractors who violated labour laws and denied workers their due benefits. They have been directed to disburse the amount to the affected workers.

He said that more contractors are also bein...