The State Government is committed for welfare of working class and has initiated several schemes for their socio-economic upliftment and redressal of all their genuine demands from time to time. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day session of 18th state level annual convention of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Himachal Pradesh (BMS, HP), here today.
The Chief Minister said that since its creation on July 23, 1955, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has made commendable efforts for the welfare of the workers and protecting their rights. It has always opposed the anti-labour policies of the Congress and the Left governments. He said that as many as 326 Unions of the workers were associated with the BMS in the State, which shows its strength. He said that the members of the BMS has also raised the voice against the exploitation of the workers from time to time.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has enhanced the daily wages of daily wagers from Rs 275 to Rs 300 with effect from April, 2021, benefiting thousands of daily wage workers. The State Government has enhanced the minimum wages of the daily wagers and outsourced employees by Rs. 2700 per month during last three and half years. He said that the State Government has decided to enhance the honorarium of Anganwadi workers by Rs 500 and that of Mini Aganwari workers and Anganwari helpers by Rs. 300 per month. He said that ASHA worker have played a major role in making the active case finding campaign a success. He said that in view of the valuable contribution of ASHA workers during the Corona period, the State Government has increased their honorarium by Rs 750 per month. He said that all the financial benefits announced to ASHA workers during the pandemic would be released at the earliest.
The Chief Minister said that under the National Pension Scheme, the State Government has increased the contribution being provided by the State Government to 14 percent and Rs 200 crore was being spent on this. He said that several schemes were being implemented to protect the interests of workers and workers of the unorganized sector. He said that Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has been constituted for the welfare of workers in the unorganized sector in the state.
He said that a few so called worker friendly organisations were trying to mislead the workers by making tall claims and projecting themselves as their benefactors but they did nothing for their welfare. He urged the members of the BMS to come forward to help the workers to derive the benefits of several welfare schemes of the State and Centre government. He said that the economy of the State got badly affected due to the pandemic last year, but the State Government was ensuring the relief was provided to various sectors.
Jai Ram Thakur said that all the genuine demands of the BMS would be considered sympathetically by the State Government.
Pradesh Mahamantri, BMS Mangat Ram Negi welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Rashtriya Sangathan Mantri BMS Surenderan, Regional Sangathan Mantri BMS Pawan Kumar, Kshetriya Sah-Sangthan Mantri BMS Rakesh Sharma, Pradeshadhyaksh BMS Himachal Pradesh Madan Singh Rana and senior officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion.
