Punjab Government to spend Rs 10 crore for welfare of labourers

Ludhiana, March 5, 2015: The Punjab government has increased the amount spent on welfare of labourers in the state from existing Rs 2 crore to Rs 10 crore. This development is to benefit around 6.25 lakh labourers working in Punjab and would uplift their living standards. This was informed by Forest and Wildlife and Labour Minister Punjab, Chunni Lal Bhagat while addressing a press conference after chairing a meeting of labour associations and industrialists at Circuit House, here today.

Chunni Lal Bhagat said that the Punjab government has started several schemes for the welfare of labour working in the state, but they are not reaching the labourers. He said that this is why the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal is taking keen interest in the matter. He said that his main motive of today';s meeting was that these schemes should reach the labourers in coordination with the labour associations as well as the industrialists.

While giving information, Bhagat said that the Punjab government is registering the labourers working in Punjab and till date around 6.25 lakh labourers have got themselves registered. He said that the Punjab government has increased the financial benefits given to these labourers by almost five times.

He said that earlier a registered labourer was getting Rs 5,100 as Shagun for the marriage of his daughter and now this amount has been increased to Rs 21,000. He said that besides this, a registered labourer is eligible for an amount of Rs 2,000 as LTA (Leave and Travel Allowance) once every two years.

The minister informed that earlier only daughter of a labourer was eligible for loan or Shagun in case of marriage, but now even the female labourer is eligible for this scheme so that she can lead a happy married life. He said even for purchasing a bicycle, scooter or any other mode of transport, the loan amount has been increased by five percent. For making sure that the children of labourers get quality education, the Punjab government has started scholarship scheme.

During the meeting, Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat even urged the labour associations and industrialists to provide the government with suggestions so that new schemes can be started for the welfare of labourers. He also appealed to the industrialists and labour associations to educate the labourers about different government schemes so that they can avail of facilities.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included former minister Satpal Gosain, Labour Commissioner H S Nanda, Joint Director Factories Kashmir Singh, Deputy Commissioner Rajat Agarwal, BJP district president Parveen Bansal, prominent industrialists Avtar Singh, Upkar Singh Ahuja, Gurmit Singh Kular, Gurpargat Singh Kahlon, Mahinder Bhagat, besides several others.