THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b): The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Salt Commissioner’s Organization (SCO) monitors overall development of salt industry. This includes planning, facilitating technology upgradation of salt production process and conducting training programmes for salt workers. SCO is supplementing efforts of the State Governments in improving some facilities viz. construction of school rooms, jetty, labour rest sheds, protective bunds and roads to salt works; supply of safety kits and bicycles, capacity building for transporting and storage of potable water, laying pipe- lines for supply of drinking water; augmentation of medical facilities in hospitals situated in salt producing areas viz. providing ambulance van, X-ray machines, constructions of rooms in the hospitals and conducting general Health-Cum-Eye camps for the salt workers in salt producing States. In addition, SCO also grants rewards to meritorious children of the salt workers every year and organizes annual sports meets for the salt workers.
Financial assistance given by SCO as grants–in-aid under Non-Plan funds for execution of labour welfare works and development works during the last three years and current financial year is at Annexure.
During the 12th Five Year Plan, the Government of India has been implementing a scheme of Training for technology upgra- dation. During the current year 2014-15, Rs.30 lakh has been provided under the Annual Plan and one training prog- ramme has already been conducted in Chennai Region.
(c): No, Madam.
(d): Does not arise.
(e): Some of the salt producing States are implementing welfare schemes especially for the salt workers. State Government of Rajasthan is granting financial assistance for Registration and issuance of Identity Cards, Insurance Scheme, Providing gum boots, goggles and bicycles to the salt workers. State Government of Gujarat is implementing scheme for development of salt works and welfare of salt workers under which approach roads to salt works, jetty for export of salt, rest sheds, protective kits, mobile medical van, mobile ration van, supply of drinking water by pipelines and tankers, balwadi and anganwadi for salt workers, rooms for schools, computers, school uniforms, educational kits and scholarships for higher studies are provided.
Download PDF Files