50 percent of budget to be spent on welfare of labourers

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the contribution of labourers of the unorganized sector in the state’s economic development is significant. Fifty percent of the state’s budget will be spent on the welfare of the labourers.

Addressing labourers of the unorganized sector of the state through electronic media here today Chouhan said that a revolutionary and historic ‘Mukhya Mantri Asangathit Mazdoor Kalyan Yojana’ has been made for the unorganized labourers. This scheme will change the life of labourers. He said that the world cannot move on without labourers. Life moves on with their hard work.
Chouhan told that the registration process to avail the benefit of Mazdoor Kalyan Yojana has begun from 1st April and will continue till April 14. He said that registration camps will be held in gram panchayats in villages and in the cities, the registration work will be undertaken in nagar panchayats, Nagar Palikas and their zonal offices. Chouhan appealed to all social workers to extend their support in the registration work. He said that the labourers have to be declared only that they are not paying income tax, do not have government jobs and they do not possess more than 2.5 acre land.
Counting the benefits of the Mazdoor Kalyan Yojana Chouhan said that Rs 4000 will be deposited in the accounts of women labourers for pregnancy assistance during 6-9 months of pregnancy. Post delivery Rs 12,000 will be given to such women so that they can take care of themselves and the newborn. The delivery has to take place in the hospital.

Chouhan said that the entire expenses of education of the children of the labourers will be borne by the government. If the child wishes to attend coaching classes arrangement will be made for him/her free of cost. He said that labourers will be provided grant for advanced tools. They will just have to deposit the bill for purchase of the tools and amount will be reimbursed within 30 days in their accounts. Treatment of labourers will be free and an amount up to Rs 5 lakhs will be spent on their treatment. Health department will be the nodal department for this.

The Chief Minister said that the old electricity bills of the labourers will be frozen.
They will be supplied electricity at a flat rate of Rs 200 per month. Terming the running of cycle-rickshaws as inhuman Chouhan said that such rickshaw pullers will be provided e-rickshaws for which they will be given grants also.

Chouhan said that labourers will be made owners of land. A campaign will be launched to provide pattas to them. Multi-storeyed houses will be provided to them in cities. They will also be given Rs 5,000 for performing last rites. This amount will be provided by the gram panchayat or nagar panchayat.

The Chief Minister said that financial assistance will be given to the family of the deceased labourer or in case of permanent disability of a labourer. Rs one lakh will be given in case of partial permanent disability, Rs 2 lakhs in case of permanent disability, Rs 2 lakh in case of natural death and Rs 2 lakh in case of death by accident. In case of death by accident, a copy of F.I.R. and death certificate along with the application will have to be submitted.
Chouhan said that the remuneration of labourers engaged in tendu leaf collection will be hiked to Rs 2000 from Rs 1200 per standard bag. Tendu leaf collectors will be given slippers-shoes, water bottles and sarees. They will be given Rs 207 crores as season’s bonus for the year 2016. Bonus distribution will begin on April 19 from Umaria district. Chouhan said that Mahua flower/Mahua Gulli will be purchased on Minimum Support Price. Mahua flower and gulli will be purchased at the rate of Rs 30 per kg. Achar seed will be purchased at Rs 100 per kg and Sal seed will be purchased at 20 paise per piece. Mazdoor sammelans will be organized in the entire state on April 17. He appealed to the labourers to attend the meetings and avail the benefits of the revolutionary scheme.-Window To News