Low-cost flats will be made available for labourers: Dikshit

, May 1: Describing labourers as "catalyst of growth", Delhi Chief Minister

, on Monday, Apr 30, promised better facilities including low-cost flats for them in the city.

"The government intends to make available houses for the labourers so that their housing needs can be addressed," Dikshit said at a function organised on the eve of International Labour Day.

Dikshit also presented awards to 39 labourers in recognition of their dedication and hard work. The Mukhyamantri Shramik Puraskar, which carries an amount of Rs one lakh and a citation, was given to Raman Kumar who as a worker in Mahajan Product Pvt Ltd helped the company save power.

Ten other workers were presented Delhi Shramik Puraskar whereas 28 managers of a number of industrial units were given Delhi Safety Awards.

The awards were instituted by the Labour department to encourage labourers to perform better in their work. Speaking on the occasion, Dikshit commended contribution of the labourers in development of the city and exhorted them to help in maintaining the newly constructed infrastructure properly.

Government has provided a sum of Rs 800 crore in Delhi Construction Workers Welfare Fund which will be utilised for the benefit of labourers, she said.

Dikshit said a construction academy will soon be commissioned to train construction workers in new technologies.

PTI