Conducting health camp and distributing kits is not labour welfare, says Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje criticized the Karnataka Labour Department for mismanaging welfare funds for construction workers. She claimed that funds collected as construction cess are not being properly utilized and that health camps and kit distribution do not constitute adequate labor welfare. The central government proposes using the funds for pensions and social security benefits like ESI and EPF, a move adopted by some states but not yet by Karnataka.
- ▪Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje accused the Karnataka Labour Department of improper functioning.
- ▪She stated that ₹15,000 crore is collected annually as construction cess in Karnataka but not properly utilized for labor welfare.
- ▪According to her, Opposition-ruled states often misuse welfare funds by focusing on health camps and kit distribution.
- ▪The central government proposes using the funds for pensions, ESI, and EPF for construction workers.
- ▪Several states have adopted the central proposal, but Karnataka has not yet done so.
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Union Minister of State for Labour, Employment and MSME Shobha Karandlaje has alleged that the State Labour Department is not functioning properly. Speaking to the press in Hubballi on Friday (May 1), Ms. Karandlaje claimed that in all Opposition party-ruled States, the welfare fund meant for the construction workers is not being utilised properly. “Especially in Karnataka, every year, ₹15,000 crore is collected as construction cess, which is not being properly utilised. For them, labour welfare means conducting health camps and distributing kits, thereby siphoning off the money. Our proposal is to utilise this fund for providing pensions and ESI and EPF facilities to construction workers.
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