Labourers prime movers of development process: Naveen

 Hailing workers as prime movers of the development process, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said his government has taken a slew of measures including creation of Rs 5 crore corpus fund for social security of labourers in unorganised construction work.

"The workers make contributions in every level of development. They are the prime movers in the process of development and real backbone of the society," Patnaik said at a function organised here on the occasion of Labour Day.

Referring to special package announced yesterday for workers engaged in construction and other unorganised sectors, he said assistance under 'Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana' was enhanced to Rs 1.50 lakh per house. 50,000 workers would get this assistance in next three years, he said.

Stating that a helpline number is there for labourers working outside the state and seasonal hostels set up for education of their children, Patnaik said strong action would be taken against anyone exploiting them.

While workers aged 60 years and above would be given pension at par with 'Madhu Babu Pension Yojana', scholarship between Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per annum would be given to the children of construction workers in class VIII to class X, he said.

This apart, one time cash award of Rs 10,000 would be given to meritorious Class-X students of construction workers who pass the examination with more than 90 per cent marks.

Girl students of construction worker studying in Class VI and VII would be given cash incentive of Rs 2,000 per year, he said, adding cash incentive to pregnant and nursing mothers of construction workers families would be enhanced from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000.
For health facility, the government also announced a medical assistance upto Rs 3 lakh for the treatment of nerve disorders, cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems, cancer, and orthopaedic disorders.

'Sharamika Bandhu' awards were presented on the occasion to four persons for their contribution towards welfare and security of workers.