Implementation of Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 workshop In Vikash Bhawan

Mohali, December 9
Under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority, a workshop was organized for the implementation of Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996 on 09.12.2016 at the State Institute of Rural Development, Mohali. In the said workshop Sh. Tejinderpal Singh Dhaliwal, Labour Commissioner, Sh. Ashish Kumar Bansal, CJM cum Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Patiala , Ms. Monika Lamba, Chief Judicial Magistrate cum Secretary District Legal Services Authority, Mohali, Mr. I.P.S. Jodhka from the Rural Development department and DDPOs, BDPOs took part. Sh. Ashish kumar Bansal, addressed the dignitaries and told that any worker who has worked for 90 days in the state of Punjab as a construction worker can register himself with the Punjab Building and other construction Welfare Board and is eligible to avail the benefits under this scheme. He explained in detail Building & other Construction Workers Act 1996 and Building and other Construction Workers Cess Act 1996. He detailed all the aspects of the act and benefits through Power Point presentation and told that it is sad to note the huge difference between receipt of cess which turns out to be Rs. 868 crore and the total expenditure which is 318 crores, the difference is because of lack of awareness among labour class and contractor as well. Sh. Tejinderpal Singh Dhaliwal, Labour Commissioner Punjab told that Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board was constituted in the year 2009, as per provisions under ‘The Building and Other Construction Workers’ (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996”. The major functions of the board are to register the construction workers in the state of Punjab, to frame welfare schemes for these construction workers and to provide them financial benefits under these schemes. He also told that once the worker is registered he is eligible to get the benefits for example Accidental death- Rs. 4.00 lac , Natural Death- Rs. 3.00 lac, 100% Disability- Rs. 4.00 lac, Shagun Scheme, Pension Scheme, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Beema Yojna: (BPSSBY Free Medical assistance, Scheme For Dangerous Ailments, Scheme for funeral and last rites, Scheme for funeral and last rites , Leave Travelling Concession, Free Cycle for Beneficiary, Free Cycle for Children of Beneficiary, Scheme For Spectacles, Denture and Hearing Aid , Scheme For General Surgery, Scheme For Labour Sheds Cum Night Shelters, Maternity Benefits etc. He highly appreciated the initiative and sincere efforts of Legal Services Authority to guide and motivate the concerned Authorities and labour class as well. He also assured that the funds will get exhausted very soon as the District Administrations are helping in registration of genuine workers.
On this occasion Ms. Monika Lamba told that Masons, Plumbers, Carpenters, Welders, electricians etc who are connected with the construction activity are covered under this Act. The cess is being deposited by the contractors but the benefits are not being released by the labourers due to non registration and lack of awareness.
Sh. Vijay Walia, Para Legal Volunteer, District Legal Services Authority, Patiala told the benefits of the scheme and has appealed to the Executive Officers of Rural Development department to register the Construction workers at maximum number so that the funds lying unused with the Punjab building and other construction workers welfare board may be reached to the genuine beneficiaries. He also told that the workers toil hard day and night in the scorching sun and rain for providing safe buildings, highways and other infrastructural facilities for their usage by the public in general.
Many notifications and judgements by the Hon’ble Courts have been passed, but nothing has been done substantially for the welfare of workers Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has impleaded NALSA as respondent in the case titled National Campaign committee Vs. Union of India and others for creating awareness of the Welfare schemes to the Construction Workers and for the implementation of the Act. National Legal Services Authority has formulated a Scheme under the name NALSA (Legal Services to the workers in the Unorganised sector) Scheme, 2015.