LoP slams AAP for ‘neglecting’ construction workers’ welfare

Vijender Gupta, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government of neglecting the welfare of construction workers in the capital, despite orders from the Supreme Court.

Gupta demanded immediate financial aid for over 20 lakh workers who lost their livelihoods due to the implementation of GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) restrictions amid rising pollution in Delhi.

“The Delhi Government is showing a blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s orders,” said Gupta, criticising the AAP-led government for not providing promised aid to workers who are struggling to make both ends meet.

“While these workers and their families are facing immense hardship, the government has failed to act,” Gupta said.

Gupta pointed out that the Delhi Government had recently announced a one-time aid of Rs 8,000 for 90,759 workers registered under the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (DBOCWWB). However, no worker received the promised aid yet, despite the availability of funds.

“The AAP Government has failed to utilise Rs 4,500 crore fund collected as 'labour cess' under the DBOCWWB. There have been no new welfare schemes for workers in the past nine years,” Gupta said.

Gupta also stressed that financial assistance should be extended not only to the registered 90,759 workers, but also to approximately 11 lakh unregistered workers who were unable to register themselves due to lack of awareness.

“The Delhi Government must provide aid to these 11 lakh workers immediately and efforts must be made to register them without any delay,” Gupta urged.

“The AAP government makes grand promises during elections. After coming to power, it treats the poor and marginalised as vote bank,” Gupta added.