Assam has expanded its welfare initiatives for construction workers, with more than seven lakh registered workers eligible for 22 benefits under the Assam Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Highlighting the initiatives, Sarma said on Thursday that the state government was working to provide greater social and economic support to construction workers and their families, recognising their contribution to building homes and infrastructure across Assam.
“Through the Assam Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, we are building 22 welfare facilities of various kinds to support more than 7 lakh construction workers and their families,” Sarma said in a post on X.
According to the chief minister, the government has so far disbursed Rs 773.21 crore for the welfare of registered construction workers under various schemes.
The initiatives are being implemented under the “Nirman Sakhi” programme, aimed at the welfare and empowerment of building and other construction workers in the state.
The government is also focusing on expanding educational opportunities for the children and families of construction workers, Sarma said.
Nine Model Degree Colleges are being constructed across Assam, with 50 per cent of seats reserved for construction workers or their family members. The initiative is aimed at improving access to higher education for families traditionally dependent on construction and other informal-sector employment.
Sarma said Assam has a dedicated welfare board for construction workers and referred to them as “Shramjevis”, or working people, whose contribution is central to the state’s development.
The Assam Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board implements social security and financial assistance measures for registered workers engaged in the construction sector.
The welfare measures cover areas including education, healthcare, financial assistance and other needs of workers and their families.
With more than seven lakh registered workers eligible for benefits, the government is seeking to strengthen social security support for a major segment of Assam’s informal workforce.
(IANS Inputs)
