Jorawer Singh, Chandigarh, August 13, 2009: After it’s inception in 1970, Punjab labour welfare board for the first time gave away benifits worth over INR 2.6 million to the industrial workers & their kin in a function President over by Sh Tikshan Sud, minister for labour, Punjab Government at Ludhiana. Speaking on the occasion, Sh Raminder Singh, IAS, Labour Commissioner Punjab, disclosed that the Board has already accumulated a corpus of about 15 million till day and to give it further boost, Government plans to double the contribution amount from employee and employer to INR 2 & 4 respectively.
Sh Tikshan Sud, enumerating various schemes being already run by the board also promised to launch similar schemes for the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
Any worker with a wage of up to INR 10,000 can avail these benefits. The benefits proposed are:
1) National Health Insurance Scheme:- The entire premium under this scheme of about INR 750 per worker per year will be borne by the Board and will assure worker and 5 family members for Health benifit of upto INR 30,000 per annum.
2) Jan Shiri Insurance Scheme. Entire premium under this scheme will be borne by the board and in case of natural or accidental death of workman, INR 75,000 will be paid to the family.
3) Interest Free Loans: Interest free loans for education of children and interest free loan of INR 30,000 for marriage of daughter payable in 30 month.
4) Ex-gratia Scheme: In case of death of worker while construction activity, the widow will get a lumpsum of INR 20,000.
5) Shagun Scheme: On the marriage of daughter, a shagun cheque of INR 5,100 will be gifted.
6) Pilgrimage: An LTC of INR 1,000/- will be provided.
7) Old Age Pension Scheme: Worker on attaining the age of 60 years is proposed to be included in the pension scheme.
The department also launched a information line to be monitored from the office of Deputy Secretary, D D Bansal’s office at Head Office: SCO 2931-32, Sector 22-C Chandigarh and detailed information can be obtained telephonically also at 0172 – 270 0138 and 981 419 6484.