Punjab Cabinet approves Rs 3,000 each for construction workers

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 5

The Cabinet today approved the release and disbursement of Rs 3,000 for each construction worker registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (BOCW) as an interim financial relief.

A statement released by the CM’s Office said in view of the challenging situation due to Covid-19, the progress of the construction projects at several places had either stopped or had temporarily slowed down, badly affecting the works across the state. As a result, it had also hit the livelihood of many construction workers, it said. Moreover, fresh guidelines have also been issued keeping in view the third Covid-19 wave.

Other Cabinet decisions

• Cabinet approves Rs1,000 one-time grant per beneficiary in addition to the monthly pension/financial assistance of Rs1,500 to widows, destitute women, dependent children and disabled
• Accords approval to release of Rs25 crore to Guru Ravidass Bani Adhayan Centre Committee, Dera Sachkhand, Ballan

With a view to providing employment avenues to the unemployed youth, besides ensuring robust health of the students of government schools, the Cabinet approved creation of 2,000 posts of physical training instructor (PTI) by the Directorate of Recruitment of the Department of School Education in the pay matrix of Rs 29,200 per month.

The process for filling these newly created posts would be started in a phased manner. The decision would entail a financial burden to the tune of Rs 70.08 crore per annum on the exchequer, the statement said. As these fresh appointees are to be provided minimum pay of the applicable pay matrix during their probation period of three years, there shall be financial implications to the tune of Rs 210.24 crore for the first three years.

In a bid to ensure effective formulation and implementation of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP), the Cabinet approved the outline of the proposed Punjab State Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes (Planning, Earmarking and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Sub-Allocation Ordinance, 2022.

The new law will be instrumental in ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels in the implementation of the SCSP and there will also be a provision of incentives for good performance.

Notably, the percentage of SC population in the state is 31.94%, the highest in the country. The statement said the state government was committed to the socio-economic and educational development of the Scheduled Castes in the state. For the development of the SCs, various schemes under the SCSP were being implemented by the different departments, it said.

MINISTERS Express solidarity with DGP

The Cabinet also discussed efforts by the BJP to politicise the episode of protesters blocking the route of PM’s convoy on Wednesday. The entire Cabinet expressed solidarity with DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya who was called to brief the Council of Ministers about the incident. Discussions were also held about the report being sought by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit about the security breach.

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