Odisha CM launches pension scheme for construction workers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 9:

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a pension scheme for construction workers who will be eligible to receive the benefits on attaining the age of 60 years.

Under the scheme, the workers aged 60 years and above are entitled to get a monthly pension of Rs 300 and workers above 80 years will get Rs 500 every month as pension.

During the launching programme at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the workers will be getting the benefits regardless of being registered with the Odisha Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

“The state government had launched housing grant of Rs 1 lakh for the construction workers in rural areas under the Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana last year. The amount has been raised upto Rs 1.30 lakh,” Patnaik said.

Notably, the state government had earlier announced that workers registered with the Board for at least five years were eligible for the monthly pension scheme, which has been relaxed now.

This apart, widow and differently-abled construction workers will also be getting the monthly pension.

“The construction workers are the drivers of development for which the state government has launched several welfare schemes for them. Skill development programmes, scholarships for their children, maternity help etc have already been launched,” he added.

The state government aims to enroll around 25 lakh construction workers under the said scheme. The Chief Minister also advised the Board to include more workers under this scheme.

As many as 1000 beneficiaries were handed over work order for construction of houses.

In addition to this, the state government has raised the maternity benefit from earlier Rs 8000 to Rs 10000 and assistance for the treatment of seriously ill workers has been increased to Rs 3 lakh.