welfare of working classes vital

“The Government is implementing the scheme along with the Prime Minister Suraksha Bhima Yojana and all transport drivers should register under the above scheme by paying `12 for a coverage of `2,00,000 and the subscription amount of `12 will be reimbursed by the Government.

Hyderabad: Home and Labour Minister Naini Narasimha Reddy on Sunday stated that the Telangana Government was totally committed to the welfare of working classes. Addressing a health camp organised by Hetero Drugs for construction workers at Ramleela Maidan of Suraram Colony here, Nayani said that the State Government has initiated several steps for the welfare of the working classes.

He said Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced, on the occasion of May Day, a scheme for coverage of Transport drivers for Rs. 5 lakh coverage for accidental death. “The Government is implementing the scheme along with the Prime Minister Suraksha Bhima Yojana and all transport drivers should register under the above scheme by paying Rs. 12 for a coverage of Rs. 2,00,000 and the subscription amount of Rs. 12 will be reimbursed by the Government.

Once the transport driver is covered under the Prime Minister Suraksha Bhima Yojana he will be immediately covered for Rs. 3 lakh by the Government of Telangana,” he said. Naini also informed that the Chief Minister has also increased the benefits given to the construction workers.

They include Marriage Gift - Rs. 10,000; Maternity Benefit - Rs. 20,000; Accidental death at workspot - Rs. 5 lakh; Permanent Physical Disability - Rs. 3 lakh; Natural Death - Rs. 60,000; Funeral Expenses - Rs. 20,000; Hospitalization expenses - Rs. 3,000/- (per month up to 3 months).

Further, he said skill development courses have been started in collaboration with the National Academic Construction. At present Telangana State has registered nearly 7.73 lakh workers. “I feel the figure is very less and as such I have asked the Department to register more number of workers so that they can get the above benefits.

The Labour Department will be conducting special drives for the coverage of workers under the Telangana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and the present camp is also a part of the special drive,” the Labour Minister said. Naini asked all the unions to take special interest and also spread awareness and ensure registration of workers under the Telangana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board so that all the workers will get the above benefits.

The Telangana Government will also be announcing various schemes for the unorganized workers and the unorganized workers will be issued smart cards shortly, he said. The Minister praised the Hetero Drugs for organising the health camp for construction workers at Suraram wherein, Hetero Drugs has come forward to provide free drugs to the workers under CSR Activity and Medicity Hospitals is providing doctors as well as medicines.

Lions Club through Sadhuram Hospitals is conducting eye camps where free eye tests will be conducted and free spectacles are provided. Red Cross is also providing doctors for the Health Camp. The Labour Department will be taking up many such health and registration camps for construction workers in the different districts of Telangana shortly, he said.