Guwahati: Assam labour minister Pallab Lochan Das on Saturday urged more construction workers to register themselves with the welfare board to avail benefits.

Speaking at a programme to observe Karigar Kalyan Diwas here, Das said, "We want to provide social security to all workers. The welfare board has been set up on the direction of the Supreme Court and the Centre. It is a concern that we have not been able to register all workers. A large amount collected by the board is lying unutilised. There is lack of awareness among workers. Contractors have been directed to register those working under them."

Das distributed cheques to beneficiaries registered under the Assam Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, including scholarships to workers' children.

Das urged the workers to register themselves as it costs only Rs 20.

Assam has more than four lakh construction workers but very few are registered, leading to a hurdle in distribution of benefit, according to the labour department.

Beneficiaries are entitled to medical relief up to Rs 20,000, disability benefit of Rs 2,000 per month and Rs 3,00,000 (one-time), Rs 50,000 in case of normal death and Rs 3,00,000 in accidental death, including Rs 5,000 for funeral expenses, monthly pension of Rs 2,000 with the family entitled to 50 per cent after the death of pensioner. Two children of a registered worker can avail of scholarships ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 7,000 for school, Rs 10,000 for degree courses, Rs 20,000 for post-graduation, engineering and medical courses and full scholarships for studying in IIT, AIIMS. Awards are also given to meritorious students. Women workers are entitled to marriage and maternity benefits, among others. Beneficiaries can also avail loans for house, assistance for critical diseases and insurance policies under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana.

Labour commissioner Tapan Chandra Sharma, Kamrup (metro) development commissioner Bijoya Choudhury, Citu president Tapan Sarma and others were present.