Cess to benefit labourers, says AAP minister

Delhi Government on Friday said it will collect outstanding cess from construction companies to ensure better monitory benefits for construction labourers.

The cess will be collected from construction companies so that more benefits can be extended to the workers, Labour Minister Gopal Rai said.

In his meeting with trade union of construction workers, he also promised to simplify the registration process for labourers so that more workers can benefit from the government-run welfare schemes. He said camps will be set up to facilitate registration of construction workers.

Rai also promised to increase entitlement under the present welfare schemes of the Delhi Construction Board.

“Presently, the Delhi Construction Board has 18 welfare schemes and sufficient cess funds to the tune of Rs 1,628 crores, which have not been adequately disbursed to the registered construction workers,” the government in a press statement said.

“The board organises registration camps and has registered more than 2.5 lakh construction workers, out of which 1.10 lakh workers have renewed their registration,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal-government has authorised Delhi Dialogue Commission to hire facilitators.

The Commission was set to deliver on the pre-poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party.
“Delhi Dialogue Commission has put out an advertisement for hiring staff on a temporary basis. Applications are being invited from professionals with research experience and Masters’ degree in relevant fields,” a government official said.