Una, 1 October:- Neeraj Kumar of Panjawar in Una district chose the path of acquiring technical skills after completing Class 12 so that he could become self-reliant, but his family’s financial condition posed a major challenge. His father is a person with a disability, while his mother, Suman Kumari, works as a labourer under MGNREGA to support the family. In such circumstances, bearing the expenses of ITI training was not easy. Financial assistance received from the Workers Welfare Board made this path easier for Neeraj.
Twenty-year-old Neeraj completed a two-year course in the Motor Mechanic Vehicle trade from the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Una, this year. For this, he received financial assistance of ₹48,000 from the Board. This support made it easier for the family to bear the training expenses and enabled Neeraj to complete his ITI training.
After completing ITI, Neeraj is now working at a workshop in Amb. Here, he is further strengthening the technical knowledge and skills acquired at the institute through practical experience. The experience he is gaining along with work is helping him move forward in the field of employment.
Neeraj says that with limited family income, it was not easy to meet household expenses as well as the needs of the children. He also has a younger sister who is currently studying in school. In such circumstances, there was also concern about meeting the expenses of ITI.
Neeraj’s family was registered with the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. During this period, they came to know that financial assistance was available to the children of workers registered with the Board for education and training. Thereafter, he applied for assistance through the concerned department.
Neeraj says that despite the weak financial condition, the assistance provided by the government gave him an opportunity to complete technical training and move forward towards becoming self-reliant. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Himachal Pradesh Government for this support.
Neeraj’s mother, Suman Kumari, also expressed gratitude for this initiative of the government. She said that she has two children. Her daughter is currently studying in school, while her son Neeraj has completed ITI with government financial assistance. According to her, such assistance is extremely important for children from economically weaker families.
More than ₹2.49 Crore Financial Assistance Provided to 605 Beneficiaries
District Labour and Welfare Officer Aman Sharma said that financial assistance amounting to ₹2,49,99,560 has been provided to 605 beneficiaries registered with the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The assistance has been provided to beneficiaries under education, medical, death, marriage, and single destitute, widow and single woman categories.
₹1.02 Crore Provided to 360 Beneficiaries for Education
With the objective of encouraging education and skill development among children of workers’ families, financial assistance of ₹1,02,51,000 has been provided to 360 beneficiaries under the Board’s Education Assistance Scheme.
Benefits of Welfare Schemes Reaching Workers’ Families
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government is providing social and economic security to workers’ families while also focusing on the education and skill development of their children.
Nardev Kanwar, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, said that under the guidance of the Chief Minister, the main objective of the Board is to ensure timely access to various welfare schemes for eligible construction workers and their families. Eligibility and transparency are being given priority in the implementation of the schemes so that government assistance reaches the genuinely needy and eligible workers.
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal said that the benefits of the Workers Welfare Board’s schemes are being extended to eligible workers’ families. This is helping children from economically weaker families receive support for education and skill training and move forward towards employment.
