Centre keen on protecting interests of unorganised workers: Minister

Madurai, Feb 10 (UNI) The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre has been implementing various welfare schemes for the 38 crore unorganised workers in the country, according to Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G K Vasan.

Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) here last night, Mr Vasan pointed out that the Centre has spent Rs 1,000 crore on Family Pension for the unorganised workers.

Listing out the welfare schemes implemented by the Centre, like the disability cover, medical insurances and maternity benefits for these workers, he said the Centre is keen on protecting the interests of the unorganised labourers.

The medical insurance scheme, introduced by the Centre to provide medical cover to people below the poverty line has benefitted about 1.2 crore families and it will go upto six crore by 2012-13,'' he added.

India's 'globalised economy' needed skilled manpower and hence, the Centre has plans to establish 1,500 Industrial Training Institutes across the country, Mr Vasan said.

Stating that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 39,871 crore for implementing 66 schemes under six departments in Tamil Nadu alone, he appealed to the party workers to apprise the people in the state of the welfare schemes announced by the Centre.

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