Hike in pension for construction workers

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed the Labour Department to enhance the pension given to building and other construction workers.

Presently, Rs 1,000 per month is being paid to beneficiaries under the pension scheme.

The chief minister was speaking at a programme organised by the Labour Department in the city to inaugurate its new building. He said his 3-year-old government had tried its best to fulfil the promises made to voters in the election manifesto. But the Opposition leaders keep unnecessarily criticising the administration despite knowing the facts.

He said a decision would be taken at the Cabinet meeting to withdraw police cases registered against a few innocent garment workers in connection with recent protest in Bengaluru over restrictions imposed on the withdrawal of the provident fund.

The new Skill Development and Livelihood Department will start functioning from this year under the direct control of the chief minister and Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the purpose, he said. This was announced in the state budget 2016-17 and is aimed at providing skill and expertise to unemployed youth.

Labour Minister P T Parameshwar Naik said a decision would be taken to enhance the pension amount by placing the matter in the next board meeting. He assured workers that the pension money would be enhanced as soon as the department gets the chief minister’s nod.