Chandigarh, June 7: The Punjab government will bear the complete financial expenditure to register and revalidate 10 lakh construction workers across the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Saturday. The massive state-wide campaign removes the financial barrier for labourers by eliminating the standard registration fee, with the state government absorbing the estimated cost of 15 crore rupees.
Chairing a review meeting of the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the Chief Minister directed officials to implement aggressive outreach measures, including evening camps in rural areas. The initiative aims to dramatically scale up the registered workforce from its current count of 2.21 lakh workers. Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and senior administrative officials attended the session.
To ensure the welfare benefits reach applicants swiftly, the state administration has significantly optimized its operational workflow. The processing time for various labor welfare schemes has dropped down to 73 days, down from the 203 days required during the 2022-23 financial period. The Chief Minister noted that prolonged delays previously served as a major deterrent for workers trying to access intended benefits.
Special provisions have also been established to support women workers and improve infrastructure at daily employment hubs. The administrative board received strict directives to ensure female laborers are properly covered under the flagship Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. Additionally, urban planning teams must build sheds and install clean drinking water facilities at local Labour Chowks.
The state plan integrates immediate financial relief with long-term economic upward mobility through targeted vocational training. The welfare board will share data for 50,000 live registered workers with the Punjab Skill Development Mission to facilitate on-site and specialized training in trades like masonry, electrical work, and fabrication.
The Chief Minister asserted that the board exists to ensure social security and socio-economic upliftment through direct financial assistance. He maintained that despite ample funds, administrative delays historically hindered success.
“It has been observed that workers often avoid registration because they are required to deposit 145 rupees as registration fee,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared. “To incentivize registration and revalidation, applicants will not be required to deposit this fee during the Mass Registration Campaign. Around 10 lakh workers will be enrolled or revalidated during this campaign and the Punjab Government will bear the financial implication of nearly 15 crore rupees.”
The state leader further affirmed that the government will continue supporting workers even after registration by covering costs for those who do not claim benefits within a year.
“The Labour Department has also been directed to organize special camps in villages during evening hours because labourers return home from work at that time and this will help ensure maximum registrations,” the Chief Minister added.
