Construction workers protest in Dharamsala over welfare issues

Raising concerns over the alleged neglect of construction workers’ welfare, the Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) staged a protest in Dharamsala on Friday, warning of an intensified agitation if their demands were not met within 15 days.

The demonstration was led by TUCC state president Prem Chand and attended by general secretary Ravinder Singh, along with union members Aman Chaudhary, Roshan Sharma, Prithvi Singh, Surjeet Singh Rana, Tilak Singh and Rita Devi. A large number of construction workers also participated, voicing grievances against the state government.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the district administration, listing 16 demands. They accused the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of failing to protect workers’ interests.

Union leaders alleged that labourers had been denied benefits under welfare schemes despite submitting the required documents over the past three to four years. Schemes related to education, healthcare and housing, they claimed, existed largely on paper with little implementation.

They further alleged that applications were being arbitrarily rejected, while many remained pending for prolonged periods, forcing workers to make repeated visits to government offices without resolution. The union also questioned the lack of relief despite the availability of funds with the welfare board.

Villagers highlight flood threat

In a separate development, a delegation from Bada-Bhangal, a remote village in Kangra district, urged the district administration to construct a protection wall to safeguard the village and its helipad from flooding.

Led by former panchayat pradhan Pawana Devi, the delegation submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, highlighting the recurring threat posed by the Ravi river, particularly during the monsoon.

Residents recalled that on August 26, 2025, heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding along the riverbanks, damaging government infrastructure, including the panchayat office and schools. They also pointed to ongoing erosion in the helipad area.

Pawana Devi said that although Revenue Department officials had assessed the damage, no preventive measures had been implemented. She warned that the situation could worsen with the approaching monsoon.

The villagers called for immediate action, stating that rising water levels and continuous erosion pose a serious risk to lives, property and essential infrastructure.