Question : FACILITIES TO CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a comprehensive plan to provide basic facilities such as health and education to the family members of the construction labourers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the time by which such plan is likely to be prepared and implemented;

(c) whether the Government is considering to provide scholarship to the wards of the construction labourers;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to make arrangement for mobile school for family members of the construction labourers; and

(f) If so, the details thereof alongwith the funds allocated and utilized during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) to (f): A statement is annexed.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1045 FOR 13.7.2009 BY SHRI K.J.S.P.REDDY REGARDING FACILITIES TO CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS.

(a) to (d): The Government have enacted the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service)Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 with a view to regularize the wages, working conditions,safety and health,welfare measures etc. exclusively for the building and other construction workers.The responsibility for implementation of the Act lies with the respective State Government.Under the Act, every State Government has to frame State Rules, constitute Advisory Committee and a State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.The major source of fund to the Welfare Board will be collecting of Cess @ 1% of the cost of construction incurred by the employer.The State Welfare Board may provide immediate assistance to the beneficiary in case of accident, make payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed the age of 60 years,sanction loans and advances for construction of a house,pay such amount in connection with premia for Group Insurance Scheme, give financial assistance for the education of children of the beneficiaries, meet such medical expenses for treatment of major ailments of the beneficiary,make payment of maternity benefit to the female beneficiaries etc.Some States have already framed schemes and are implementing them.A few others are in the process of formulating such schemes.Though the States have been time and again urged to expedite this process, no time frame has been fixed for this purpose as this responsibility rests with the States under the Act.

(e) & (f): No proposal for providing mobile school for family members of the construction labourers is under consideration of the Government.