Delhi Govt to provide security benefits to unorganised sector

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) In a step forward towards providing social security benefits to the unorganised sector, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said that her Government has created a Rs 110 crore fund for their welfare and evolved a system by which they can avail benefits of insurance and the public distribution system.

She made the announcement after inaugurating a first-ever camp organised in Delhi for construction labourers associated with Commonwealth projects at Thyagraj Stadium in Delhi.

The Chief Minister said the workers will be enrolled as members of Delhi Building and other Construction Welfare Board, which would enable them benefits of Public Distribution System(PDS), Janshree Bima (insurance) Yojana, which provides for compensation between Rs 30,000 to Rs 75,000 on death and Rs 37,5000 on permanent disability.

It will also entitle them to maternity benefits, medical assistance, scholarship to school going children, financial assistance amounting to Rs 2000 at the time of marriage of their dependents, pension on attaining age of 60 years, disability pension, family pension etc.

Workers in the age group of 18 to 60 years are eligible to become member of the Board. They will have to deposit monthly refundable subscription of Rs 20 which would be credited to their savings account.

The Chief Minister distributed temporary ration cards, passbooks and Janshree Bima Cards to the 15 labourers, though rest of the 285 labourers were also provided these documents after the function.

Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said Delhi has become first state to implement Workers Health Scheme, which has been finalised by the Centre.

Mr Fernandes said that unorganised workers in Delhi would also be brought under the ambit of ESI and they would also become entitled for bonus.

UNI