Bhubaneswar, May 1: The state government today felicitated four veteran trade unionists on the occasion of May Day.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik honoured the All India Trade Union Congress leader Souribandhu Kar, Indian National Trade Union Congress leader Kishore Jena, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh's Basanta Kumar Sahu and Hind Mazdoor Sabha's Rajendra Prasad Singh with Biju Shramik Bandhu Samman. The four veterans were given Rs 50,000 each along with a citation.
Speaking at the state-level May Day celebration event, Naveen said: "The workers have contributions at all levels of development."
Describing them as the "backbone of the society," the chief minister announced a new package for construction and other workers in the unorganised sector.
The package included Rs 1.5 lakh house-building assistance to construction and other workers under Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana, monthly pension to workers aged above 60 years and financial assistance up to Rs 3 lakh for treatment of cancer, heart or kidney ailments.
These assistances are being given by the Odisha Buildings and Other Constructions Workers Welfare Board.
The move of the state government to give sops to construction and other workers assumes significance since they constitute a major vote bank. Already more than 14 lakh construction workers have been registered and they have been given financial assistance to the tune of Rs 150 crore, said chairperson of the board, Subash Singh, a veteran trade union leader himself.
Announcing several welfare packages for construction workers and other unorganised workers, the chief minister said that pension at par with Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) would be given to registered construction workers of 60 years and above.
Besides, scholarships will be given to children of the families of construction workers studying in Class VIII at the rate of Rs 2,000 a year, Class IX Rs 3,000 a year and Class X Rs 4,000 a year.
Apart from this, an one time cash award of Rs 10,000 will be given to meritorious Class X students who pass with more than 90 per cent marks. Girls studying in Class VI and VII will be given cash incentive of Rs 2000 a year. Cash incentive to pregnant and nursing mothers will also be enhanced from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 over and above the assistance given under Mamata Yojana.
"A provision of Rs 5 crore has been made for the implementation of programmes under Unorganised Workers Social Security Act," said Naveen.
He also gave away death benefits, financial assistance for daughters' marriage, children's education and purchase of construction tools.
Bagchi assignment
The newly-constituted Skill Development Authority chief Subroto Bagchi formally took up his assignment today. The IT honcho is supposed to tour the districts shortly. Earlier, Sam Pitroda had been appointed as technical adviser to the government.
