Kejriwal Government releases Rs. 11.6 crores for 23,256 workers affected by the construction ban due to pollution; will reach their bank accounts in two days
A total of Rs 350 crores distributed by the Kejriwal Government for financial assistance of construction workers in Delhi
All construction workers must register themselves with the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board to avail advantage of government welfare schemes: Dy CM Manish Sisodia
Kejriwal Government is committed to work in the interests of construction workers and their families; running 14 welfare schemes for them currently: Dy CM Manish Sisodia
NEW DELHI:
The Kejriwal Government is committed to work for the welfare of construction workers in Delhi and provide them a dignified life. In view of the same, on Monday, the Kejriwal Government sent out a grant amount of Rs 5,000 each as subsistence grant, to the accounts of 23,256 construction workers. This grant was announced by the government in November as a result of the ban on construction activities due to air pollution. They had not received the amount due to a glitch related to their bank accounts. Every construction worker who has completed the bank amendment till March 23, 2022 has received Rs. 5,000 in the current instalment.
In the first phase, the government had provided assistance of Rs 245 crores to 4.92 lakh workers registered with the Delhi Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board, immediately after the ban was announced in November. After this an amount of Rs 41.9 crores was distributed to 83,000 workers on Holi this year. In the current instalment, an amount of Rs 11.6 crores has been distributed to over 23,000 construction workers who have successfully updated their bank account. This assistance amount will reach the workers’ accounts within two working days. This amount has been given to all the construction workers registered with the construction board before 24th November 2021.
Notably, in November last year, construction activities in Delhi were called off due to rise in levels of air pollution. This affected the livelihood of many construction workers. To compensate for the losses and provide support to the construction workers, the Delhi government had announced a grant of Rs 5,000 to each construction worker and an amount of Rs 350 crores was released for this.
Speaking about this initiative of the Kejriwal Government, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Manish Sisodia said, “The Delhi government is standing with the construction workers at every step of the way. They are the backbone of our progress and provide strength to our nation. Our city and its buildings are a result of the sweat and toil of construction workers. Therefore, taking care of their interests is the main priority of the Delhi government. Construction activities were banned in Delhi due to which the livelihood of the workers was affected. The Delhi government has always supported them in such times of distress, and will continue to do so in future as well.”
The Deputy Chief Minister informed, “There are about 11 lakh construction workers in Delhi, out of which 9 lakh workers are registered with the Construction Workers’ Welfare Board. I urge the workers who have not received the assistance due to issues with their bank details to get the requirements by the bank updated as soon as possible. They can get their bank account details modified free of cost on the e-district website. The assistance amount will be sent to their accounts by the government in the next payment cycle. They can also seek assistance from Shramik Mitra who are present at Vidhan Sabha to assist workers on updating their bank details and completion of registration process.”
The Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the construction workers to get themselves registered with the Delhi Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board at the earliest avail the benefits of the welfare schemes provided by the government. Currently the government is running over 14 welfare schemes for construction workers and their families. These schemes are related to education, health benefits, marriage, maternity, pension etc.
Construction workers received 10,000 rupees in the first lockdown and 5,000 rupees in the second
The Kejriwal government has stood with the workers and their families during difficult times. When the coronavirus wreaked havoc on the entire country, the construction workers’ economic crisis was exacerbated by the lockdown. At the time, the Kejriwal Government stepped forward and provided Rs.10,000 each in financial assistance to 1,18,256 workers during the first lockdown. During the second lockdown, the government transferred a total of Rs 118 crore to the accounts of 1,18,256 construction workers, while during the first lockdown, 3,13,452 workers were given Rs 5,000 each and a total of Rs 155 crore was transferred to their accounts.
Kejriwal Government also provided assistance to Corona-infected construction workers
During the Corona pandemic, the Kejriwal Government made a significant decision to protect the interests of registered workers by announcing financial assistance to registered workers in Delhi. Following that, if a registered construction worker Corona was found to be infected, they were given Rs. 5,000 in financial assistance. It was necessary for the nominee’s RT-PCR report and Rapid Investigation Report to be positive in order for them to benefit from this scheme.
Kejriwal Government provides scholarship to children of registered construction workers
The Kejriwal administration is attempting to educate the children of construction workers registered with the Delhi Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board. The Kejriwal government provides monthly scholarships as financial assistance for the education of registered workers’ children from elementary school through graduation and professional school. Children of registered construction workers who are in classes I to VIII are eligible for a monthly scholarship of Rs 500. Similarly, 9th and 10th grade children receive Rs.700 per month, 11th and 12th grade children receive Rs.1,000 per month, Graduation students receive Rs.3,000 per month, LLB students receive Rs.3,000 per month, ITI students receive Rs.4000 per month, polytechnic students receive 5 thousand rupees per month for diploma, and 10 thousand rupees per month scholarship for studies such as engineering or medicine.
Shramik Mitras bridging the gap between government and workers
The Kejriwal administration runs a number of welfare programmes for registered construction workers. CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal has deployed Shramik Mitras to ensure that construction workers registered with the Delhi Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board can benefit from the Delhi Government’s schemes. Shramik Mitras works to ensure that registered workers who are unable to benefit from government schemes do so. A Shramik Mitra explains in detail the government’s schemes to them and makes them aware of them. Workers cannot go to the relevant department on a daily basis to get information about the schemes or to solve their problems, this is where the Shramik Mitra come in. In some ways, Shramik Mitras work to bridge the gap between the government and the workers. Shramik Mitras takes the workers’ real problems to the Labour Board and gets them resolved.
Medical aid ensured for ailing construction workers
The Kejriwal government has taken a number of significant steps to address workers’ health concerns. Registered construction workers, if they are admitted to the hospital due to an accident or illness, the Delhi government provides medical assistance of two thousand rupees for their treatment. In addition, financial assistance is provided up to Rs. 10,000 per day after the first 200 rupees per day. CM Arvind Kejriwal initiated this scheme, which has provided significant relief to registered construction workers.
Financial assistance on accidental deaths of construction workers
Under the Kejriwal administration, the Delhi Government stands shoulder to shoulder with their family of all registered construction workers. If a worker dies in an accident on the job, the Kejriwal Government provides financial assistance to his family in the amount of Rs 2 lacs. Dependents are provided with Rs 1 lac rupees on the basis of ordinary death of construction workers.
Construction workers are eligible for a disability pension
Upon getting disabled, registered workers in Delhi are provided a pension by the Kejriwal Government to help them recover from the economic crisis. The government provides a monthly pension of 3,000 rupees to people who are disabled by serious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Paralysis, Leprosy, or trauma induced disabilities. The Kejriwal administration has worked to give registered workers a new lease on life by providing a disability pension.
Orient Pension Scheme for Construction Workers
The Kejriwal Government has also allayed the fears of Delhi’s financial construction workers. By resurrecting the old pension scheme, the government has given these workers economic security. When a registered construction worker reaches the age of 60, the government establishes a monthly pension. In addition, the pension is increased by 300 rupees per year.
Financial assistance for marriages of employees’ children
The Kejriwal Government provides financial assistance in marriage of registered construction workers’ children. The government construction workers contribute financially to the marriage of two children. Rs. 35,000 rupees is given for the marriage of a registered construction worker’s son, and Rs. 51,000 rupees is given for the marriage of a registered construction worker’s daughter.