Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today formally launched the registration of MNREGA workers under the ‘Uttarakhand Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board’. At a programme held at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office here today, the CM launched the registration process through the online medium and asserted that the Government is working with the development of the last person in society as its central focus.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Dhami stated that this registration will enable MNREGA workers to avail themselves of all social security schemes offered by the Welfare Board. He said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State Government is committed to empowering the last person in society by providing opportunities in health, education, and employment.
The CM shared that there are 16.3 lakh workers registered under MNREGA in Uttarakhand, of which 9.5 lakhs are active. Among these, workers who have completed a minimum of 90 days of work in a year will now be eligible to benefit from the welfare schemes of the Welfare Board. He noted that the current number of registered workers with the Board is 5.35 lakhs, and with MNREGA workers joining, the Board’s services will reach lakhs more.
Dhami emphasised that the Government’s effort is to promote the welfare of workers while simultaneously encouraging industries and investors in the State. He stressed on the need to create a positive environment to boost industrial growth and highlighted that the mining sector alone provides employment to millions in various ways. He pointed out that, earlier, there was a negative perception surrounding mining, but the Government’s transparent policies have helped to break this notion. As a result, mining revenue, which was previously only Rs 400 crore, has now increased to Rs 1,200 crore. Recognising the reforms in the mining sector, the Central Government has also provided Rs 200 crore in assistance to the State.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays special emphasis on Ease of Doing Business, and in this regard, the State Government is providing facilities such as the Single Window System for industries. He added that the endeavour is to ensure investors are not entangled in unnecessary formalities.
On this occasion, Secretary Sridhar Babu Adanki reported that the scheme is being operated through the joint efforts of the Labour Department and the Rural Development Department. He explained that, following the Chief Minister’s instructions, the registration of workers is being done on an online portal, and MNREGA workers will now be registered at the Block Development level.
Labour Commissioner PC Dumka, while conducting the programme, stated that MNREGA workers can now avail benefits such as health assistance, educational support for two children, financial assistance for the marriage of two daughters, and assistance in case of a worker’s death, similar to other workers registered with the Board. Rural Development Commissioner Anuradha Pal and other officials were also present on the occasion.
