An Induction Cooker with utensils and LPG/Solar lamp would be provided to registered worker with the Himachal Pradesh House and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board as a one time incentive. This was decided in the review meeting of Wage Board chaired by Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, held here last evening.Sh. Virbhadra Singh said that an amount of Rs. one Lakh would be provided to the legal heir in event of accidental death of the registered worker. He said that now the dependants of the registered worker would get Rs 50,000 in case of natural death of the worker. He said that presently the Board was providing Rs 21,000 to the beneficiaries for marriage of there two children, but now the Government has decided that the benefit would be extended to the beneficiary for his/her own marriage also. Chief Minister also announced to enhance this amount from existing 21,000 to Rs. 25,000.
Chief Minister said that since 93 per cent work force in the State was employed in unorganized sector, therefore, it was necessary that they were provided better boarding facilities. He said that three labour hostels would be constructed in Una, Solan and Mandi districts for providing better living conditions to the workers. He directed the officers to identify suitable land for construction of Labour Hostel at Shimla for providing hygienic hostels to the labourers working in the State capital. He said that an amount of Rs 10 crore would be spent on construction of these four hostels. Shri Virbhadra Singh said that Gram Sabhas should be involved to educate the people regarding various schemes being implemented by the Board for the benefit of the Workers.
Industries, Labour and Employment and Public Relations Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Government was ensuring effective implementation of various welfare schemes for the Workers. He said that sites for construction of Labour Hostels would be identified soon and construction started at the earliest.Bawa Hardeep Singh, Chairman, HP House and Other Construction Worker Welfare Board welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed various achievements of the Board.Shri D.K. Manta, CEO HP House and Other Construction Worker Welfare Board conducted the proceedings of the meetings.Chief Secretary Shri P. Mitra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shri V.C. Pharka, Principal Secretary Finance Dr Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary Industries Shri R.D Dhiman, Labour Commissioner Shri B.R.Verma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.