The Delhi government aims to increase construction worker registrations to 15 lakh by year-end, up from 13 lakh last fiscal year. This follows Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's concerns over insufficient registrations. Additionally, welfare scheme spending for these workers will see a twenty-fold rise, from Rs 12.66 crore to Rs 246 crore. The funds, sourced from a 1% cess on major construction projects, support various benefits, including financial aid, maternity benefits, and medical care. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to the welfare of this essential workforce.
In a recent move, the Delhi government has set an ambitious goal to increase the registration of construction workers in the capital city to 15 lakh by the end of this year. This initiative follows Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's earlier remarks this year, where he voiced his concerns over the inadequate registration of these workers and stressed the need for a significant boost.
According to official records, the number of registered construction workers stood at 13 lakh at the close of the fiscal year 2022-23. The government's new target represents a substantial increase, reflecting its commitment to the welfare and recognition of this vital workforce.
Furthermore, the Delhi government has announced plans to augment its expenditure on welfare schemes specifically designed for construction workers. The proposed budget for these schemes is pegged at Rs 246 crore for the current year, marking a significant leap from the previous year's allocation of Rs 12.66 crore. This twenty-fold increase underscores the government's dedication to enhancing the living standards and security of construction workers.
In the previous year, the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board received over 4,500 applications from registered construction workers, seeking benefits from various welfare initiatives. Of these, a little over 2,000 applications were approved, resulting in an expenditure of Rs 12.66 crore, as reported by a representative from the labour department.
The Welfare Board, responsible for overseeing these schemes, had amassed a substantial corpus of Rs 4212.34 crore by the end of the last fiscal year. This fund, primarily sourced from a one per cent cess levied on both private and official construction projects valued at Rs 10 lakh and above, is channelled towards financing a range of welfare programs. These include financial support in the unfortunate event of a registered worker's demise, maternity benefits, old age pensions, and medical care, to name a few.
In conclusion, The Delhi government's renewed focus on increasing the registration of construction workers and amplifying the budget for their welfare schemes is a commendable step. It not only acknowledges the significant contributions of these workers to the city's infrastructure but also ensures their well-being and security. The move is expected to bring about positive changes in the lives of countless construction workers and their families.
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