Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today reviewed functioning of Labour and Employment Department.Assistant Labour Commissioners from all districts of J&K presented their inputs and feedback of the department's working in their respective districts.Advisor said that the department should make every effort necessary to provide services to labourers. 'At no cost should any poor labourer suffer or be denied his rights', he maintained.He underlined the need of mobile number updation, Aadhar seeding and strict implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for ensuring transparency and streamlined delivery of welfare services. He also emphasized the need to eliminate duplicity in records.Highlighting the need of generating awareness about various government schemes among workers and labourers, Advisor asked the department to organise information, education and communication (IEC) activities on mission mode. He directed for optimally utilizing the social media, TV, radio and other local media to reach out to maximum number of people.Advisor observed that registration of some labourers and workers is being delayed due to lack of certain documents.
In this regard, he directed that Aadhar Card be accepted as standalone proof of identity with date of birth certificate saying that no applicant be denied services on pretext of any other irrelevant document. He added that the department creates a central digital database of records and eliminate duplicate entries. He asked for issuance of identity cards to all registered workers and labourers.Advisor Khan gave some suggestions for further improving the efficiency besides reducing workload in district offices. He asked the ALCs to take every necessary initiative to ensure that labourers face minimum hassles in receiving their rightful welfare benefits. He directed them to encourage their ground staff for improved cess collection from builders and contractors.Later, other departmental issues and actions taken on decisions of the 18th Board meeting were also discussed in the meeting.Those present in the meeting included Commissioner Secretary Labour, Sarita Chauhan; CEO J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Munir Ul Islam; Labour Commissioner, Abdul Rashid War; Director Employment, NA Wani and Director Finance, Barkat Hussain among other officers.