West Bengal failed to meet social security target, says Buddhadeb

Kolkata, Jan 2 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said the state government has failed to achieve its target to include the maximum number of unorganized workers in the social security schemes.

Addressing a gathering of skilled and unskilled workers here on Saturday, Bhattacharjee said: "Efforts should be made to get unorganised labourers from various sectors like agriculture, transport included in the scheme so that the benefit can be availed by the larger populace."

"We have to take more labourers under the Provident Fund Scheme. This is the main scheme and aim," he added.

Recollecting the days when West Bengal government made its first move for the 'Provident Fund Scheme,' Bhattacharjee said the state government started with just few lakh workers under the scheme, however, the number has gone up to 20 lakhs.

"The Provident Fund Scheme is for all labourers and workers in our state and today we have 20 lakhs of beneficiaries. But we have to reach to more workers, as in our state their number is quite high. So we have to exceed the number from 20 lakhs to a much higher number under the scheme," he said.

Expressing concern over the miserable economic condition of bidi workers, Bhattacharjee felt the number of beneficiaries of the welfare schemes need to be raised.

"A large number of bidi workers in various areas of Murshidabad, Purulia and Bankura are living in a poor condition. We have identified the areas and are trying to ensure effective implementation of the schemes. Around 42,000 such workers have already benefited. We need to work hard to boost the number,' said Bhattacharjee.

He further said that in order to eradicate the menace of child labour, proper education to avail better job opportunities should be provided. (ANI)