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The Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has sanctioned a INR 219.46 crore budget for 2025-26 to enhance welfare programs for construction workers. INR 160 crore is allocated for social welfare initiatives, including health benefits, education support, and accident relief. A INR 35 crore day boarding school in Dehra, Kangra, will provide quality education for workers' children. The board will also digitize beneficiary records for transparency and efficiency. Emphasizing skill training, the initiative aligns with similar programs in Maharashtra and Karnataka, aiming to uplift construction workers and ensure long-term social and economic security.
The Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (BOCW) has approved a INR 219.46 crore budget for the financial year 2025-26 to strengthen welfare programs for construction workers across the state. The board's 48th meeting, presided over by Chairman Nardev Singh Kanwar, focused on expanding social security schemes, skill training programs, and infrastructure development to benefit workers in the construction sector. Advertisement
A significant allocation of INR 160 crore has been dedicated to various social welfare initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of registered construction workers. These schemes typically include financial assistance for health and maternity benefits, life and disability cover, transit housing, and children's education support. The board also provides marriage assistance and accident relief for workers facing hardships. Over the years, similar initiatives have helped thousands of registered workers and their families in states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, where BOCW boards have implemented pension schemes and healthcare benefits.
A major highlight of this budget is the INR 35 crore provision for establishing a day boarding school in Dehra, Kangra district. This initiative aims to provide quality education for children of construction workers, ensuring access to better learning facilities. This is in line with other states such as Telangana, where the government has set up residential schools and scholarship programs specifically for children of construction workers.
Additionally, the board is emphasizing skill training programs to improve the employability of workers. The training will focus on modern construction techniques, safety measures, and alternative livelihood skills. This approach is similar to the skill development initiatives in states like Kerala and Rajasthan, where BOCW boards provide technical training to help workers transition into better-paying jobs.
To improve efficiency and transparency, the board has decided to digitize all beneficiary records. This digitization process aims to streamline the registration and benefits distribution system, reducing paperwork and ensuring timely delivery of financial aid and welfare schemes. The move is expected to eliminate fraudulent claims and make services more accessible to workers in remote areas.
The welfare board's initiatives align with the objectives of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, which mandates the protection and welfare of construction workers across India. In other states, similar BOCW programs have been instrumental in improving workers' quality of life. For instance, in Delhi, the government has provided free healthcare coverage for construction workers and their families, while Tamil Nadu has introduced pension schemes for elderly workers.
The BOCW board's approval of this budget signals the Himachal Pradesh government's commitment to enhancing the living standards of construction workers. By focusing on social security, skill development, and education, the board aims to create a more sustainable support system for the labor force, ensuring long-term benefits for workers and their families. If successfully implemented, these programs will significantly improve the economic and social conditions of the state's construction workforce.
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