HC summons senior officials for construction workers''s cause

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Upset over the government''sfailure to implement social security schemes for constructionworkers, the Delhi High Court today summoned the MCD chief andsenior officials of the labour departments of Union and thestate governments.

While ordering the government officials to appearbefore it on the next date of hearing on February 9, adivision bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice SanjivKhanna cautioned them against resorting to any excuse forseeking exemption from personal appearances.

The bench said the officials must appear before it onthe date even if they have to drop their official visitsabroad, if any.

The government officials who were summoned includedthe MCD commissioner, the Union government''s chief labourcommissioner, Delhi government''s Labour Department secretary,besides various other senior officers of DDA, NDMC, DelhiMetro, CPWD, PWD and Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).

The court also asked them to explain why the benefitsunder various schemes have not reached the constructionworkers.

The court had issued summons to the bureaucrats whilehearing a public interest lawsuit filed by a civil societygroup fighting for the legal rights and benefits of workersunder the existing statute. (more) PTI PNM RAX