Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (HPBOCWWB) Chairman Nardev Kanwar met with Ashutosh A.T. Pednekar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, in New Delhi today to discuss measures for strengthening the welfare of construction workers in the state.
During the meeting, Chairman Kanwar highlighted key demands, including the establishment of Labour Chowks, enhanced welfare support for MNREGA workers, streamlining of the Cess Portal, and increased administrative expenditure. He emphasized that Himachal’s frequent natural disasters result in repeated losses of life and property, urging that the state receive central benefits similar to Union Territories.
Kanwar also shared reforms undertaken by the Board, such as comprehensive physical verification of eligible workers to ensure transparent and rightful disbursement of benefits. He noted that under the direction of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government provides ₹3 lakh financial assistance for house construction to widowed, single, specially-abled, and destitute women workers.
The Joint Secretary appreciated these initiatives, promising full support from the Ministry regarding Labour Chowks and the Cess Portal. An expert team would be deputed as needed to facilitate effective implementation. He also indicated that proposals for MNREGA workers, including implementing expenditure in a 90:10 ratio in line with new laws for Union Territories, would be sympathetically considered.
