Una, April 24: In the Una district, the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board has emerged as a strong pillar of support for construction workers. Through the Board, financial assistance is being provided to workers and their families under various schemes covering education, marriage, medical care, housing, and pensions, bringing about a tangible transformation in their lives.
District Labor Welfare Officer Aman Sharma stated that 31,575 registered workers in the Una district are currently affiliated with the Board. Since December 2022, financial assistance amounting to ?6,26,31,049 has been disbursed to 1,166 beneficiaries under various schemes.
**Giving Wings to Children's Dreams through the Education Assistance Scheme**
He further informed that, with the objective of providing better educational opportunities to the children of workers, financial aid totaling ?3,37,55,900 has been provided to 740 beneficiaries under the Education Assistance Scheme. This support has enabled children from numerous families to continue their schooling, college education, and technical or vocational training.
**Strengthening Families through the Marriage Assistance Scheme**
The District Labor Welfare Officer noted that assistance amounting to ?1,75,95,000 was provided to beneficiaries for the marriages of daughters and children within workers' families. This initiative has alleviated the financial burden on needy families and bolstered their social security.
**Benefits of Medical and Social Security Schemes**
Meanwhile, under the Medical Assistance Scheme, aid amounting to ?96,649 was provided to 9 workers, while under the Death Assistance Scheme, relief funds totaling ?96,20,000 were disbursed to 41 families. This support has served as a major lifeline for families facing difficult circumstances.
**Realizing the Dream of Home Ownership through Housing Schemes**
Under the Pradhan Mantri/Chief Minister Housing Scheme, assistance amounting to ?7,32,500 was provided to 10 workers, aiding eligible families in the construction of their homes. Additionally, workers' families are also benefiting from schemes such as pensions, hostel facilities, maternity and paternity benefits, and assistance for the birth of a girl child. **Numerous Schemes for Workers' Social Security**
District Labour Welfare Officer Aman Sharma stated that beneficiaries are receiving the benefits of various schemes through a transparent and simplified process. He noted that, under the aegis of the Board, financial assistance is provided for a member's own marriage and for the marriage of up to two children (amounting to ?51,000 for each event); for medical assistance (ranging from ?50,000 to ?5 lakh); and for educational assistance (ranging from ?8,400 to ?1.20 lakh, covering studies from Class 1 up to the PhD level).
Furthermore, financial assistance is extended in the form of a monthly pension of ?1,000 upon attaining the age of 60; a death benefit of ?2 lakh to ?4 lakh for dependents in the event of a member's demise; ?20,000 for funeral expenses; ?51,000 under the 'Daughter's Birth Gift Scheme'; as well as widow pensions, hostel facilities, and support under the Chief Minister's Housing Scheme.
**Committed to Workers' Welfare**
Naradev Singh Kanwar, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Board is working diligently towards the welfare of workers. In this regard, various schemes have been implemented effectively. Continuous efforts are underway to simplify the processes for workers' registration, renewal, and the disbursement of scheme benefits.
Mr. Kanwar affirmed that both the government and the Board are committed to the welfare of the working class—specifically to improving their standard of living, securing the future of their children, and providing financial stability to their families.
Meanwhile, Rajiv Kumar, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Board, stated that in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the schemes have been streamlined and made transparent to ensure that benefits reach eligible workers without any hindrance.
Una Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal stated that, at the district level, measures are being taken to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reach all eligible workers, thereby enabling the maximum number of families to benefit from them.