Farmhands to be registered from Oct 11

Bhopal, Oct 1: Madhya Pradesh Labour Minister Jagdish Dewda has issued a directive whereby eligible landless agricultural labourers be made beneficiaries of the Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana.

''Labourers will be registered from October 11 to ensure better working conditions and social security for farmhands in the unorganised sector,'' the Minister said while directing that labour organisations' cooperation be sought for the endeavour, according to official sources.

Those agricultural labourers, who do not have farmland in their names or in the names of their family members, would be brought under the scheme whose beneficiaries would also include those working in the horticulture, afforestation and forest produce sectors. Such a labourer would have to be employed for at least 90 days annually and be domiciled in this state.

The registered farmhand's wife/husband, dependent children, dependent parents, dependent widow and separated daughter would be considered part of the family unit. Village panchayats would be empowered to undertake registration and application forms are to be submitted to them. Photo identity cards, containing descriptions of families, would be subsequently issued.

An applicant would have to pay a fee of Rs 10 and submit two passport-size photographs. An individual registration would be valid for three years. An applicant may appeal to a janpad panchayat against rejection of an application or cancellation of registration by the village panchayat. The janpad panchayat's decision would be final.

UNI