Kolkata, Oct. 15 -- Stressing on registration of labourers in construction and unorganised sectors, State Labour minister Arjun Singh said mobile units will be sent to all construction sites to register labourers so that they can avail the benefits offered by the state and Central governments.
Singh said that on construction sites with more than 200 workers, bonus must be given to the workers compulsorily and doctors must be posted for the health check up of workers. The minister said surprise visits will be carried out at construction sites to examine if these parameters are properly followed.
"The previous government deprived the construction workers and it had diverted the funds meant for the labourers to tea gardens. Around Rs 2,000 crore funds meant for the construction workers were diverted to the state's exchequer," Singh alleged.
He further stated: "We have developed an online registration app. Mobile units will be sent to all construction sites for their registration."
The Labour minister also said that his department has proposed to increase ex-gratia from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh to the family members of the labourers dying below the age of 60. In case of accidental deaths, ex-gratia will also be increased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, the minister added. The minister also announced enhanced social security measures for registered construction workers in the state.
Meanwhile, Singh who is also the state Transport minister, while speaking at a programme has emphasised the government's commitment to green energy and increased deployment of eco-friendly public transport. The South Bengal State Transport Corporation has already inducted around 150 CNG buses, with numbers expected to increase in the coming years. The newly-inaugurated station, jointly set up by Bengal Gas Corporation Ltd and SBSTC at a cost of Rs 3.24 crore, will supply CNG to both government and private vehicles through a direct gas pipeline connection.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.