JAMMU: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar chaired the 21st Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB) at the Civil Secretariat here.
During the meeting, the BoDs discussed various critical issues of the workforce of Jammu and Kashmir and outlined strategic initiatives to enhance the welfare of construction workers in the region. The BoDs also deliberated on the implementation of welfare schemes, skill development programs, and measures to enhance occupational safety along the construction sites here.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure the well-being and welfare of construction workers across the UT. He highlighted that we must focus on creating a conducive environment that promotes welfare, skill development, and overall livelihood of the labour class across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Advisor further remarked that we are among the fastest growing economies of the world and in the coming years we will be among the developed countries of the world for which our labour class will be the main contributor our labour force is our main contributor.
While reviewing the progress on disbursing welfare funds to workers, Advisor Bhatnagar asked the JKBOCWWB to create a centralized and user-friendly system for verification of beneficiaries so that the cases can be disposed of timely and due assistance is provided to beneficiaries. He also called upon the officers to develop a mechanism for the registration of all workers either at Government construction sites or private work sites.
The Advisor further asked the labour department to enhance the mechanism of inspection at construction sites and ensure that the workers are wearing protective gear during work at construction sites.
During the meeting, the BoDs made some significant decisions for the welfare of the construction workers and other labour classes.
The BoDs enhanced the ex-gratia from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs in case of accidental death of a registered worker at the construction site. The Board also approved an increase in compensation from Rs 75000 to Rs. 4.5 laks in case of permanent disability of a registered labourer while working at the construction site.
The Board also increased the limit of medical assistance in case of chronic disease of registered workers from 1 lakh to 1.5 lakhs.
During the meeting, CEO JKBOCWWB briefed the meeting about the performance of the Board and major initiatives employed for the welfare of the workforce across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra; Principal Secretary, PWD, Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D Vaidya; Secretary Labour and Employment, Rehana Batul; CEO, JKBOCWWB, Munir-ul-Islam; Labour Commissioner, Abdul Rashid War, representatives of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bhartiya Dastkra Union, senior officers of Planning, PDD and Law departments and other senior officers of JKBOCWWB both in person and through video conferencing.
