State governments release aid for construction workers amid lockdown

The assistance in Maharashtra is set to benefit 12 lakh workers

Covid 19Image Courtesy:economictimes

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has decided to provide financial help to construction workers, who are struggling to make ends meet during the lockdown. As many as 57,096 building and other construction workers in the Capital who are under severe financial stress, reported The Indian Express.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation with the help of Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board will ward-wise give each worker Rs. 1,500 either directly in their locality or through bank transfer, of course following strict social distancing norms as they engage in direct distribution.

An official from the civic body said, “Initially around 1,500 beneficiaries will be provided the assistance directly in Saliasahi area of the city,” also mentioning that ward-wise distribution wouldn’t be possible there as the area is vast.

While Zonal Deputy Commissioners will work out distribution plan for the Wards in their jurisdiction, officials of BDA and BSCL will also be involved in the task. The police and officials of the Education and Housing and Urban Development will also support the state government in this endeavor. No distribution will take place between 1 pm and 3 pm due to high temperatures and due importance will be given for sanitization, location announcement, maintenance of acquaintance and verification of Aadhaar cards.

The Maharashtra government too announced a one-time assistance of Rs. 2,000 to all construction workers through direct benefit transfer. Maharashtra Labour and Excise Minister, Dilip Walse Patil tweeted, “According to the discussions held at the meeting of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, labor minister and concerned officials, financial assistance of ₹2,000 was decided to deposit the account in a DBT manner.” Around 12 lakh workers are said to be benefitted by this assistance, he mentioned.

The Mizoram government too provided an assistance of Rs. 3,000 each to over 40,000 construction workers through direct benefit transfer under the Mizoram Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, said state labour minister Lalchhandama Ralte. The same had begun to be implemented in various phases since April 7, he said.

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States plan employment schemes for urban marginalized and migrants

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