Stop using funds for kits, transfer benefits directly, urge construction workers
Taking exception to utilising the construction welfare fund for purposes other than those notified by the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, scores
Taking exception to utilising the construction welfare fund for purposes other than those notified by the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, scores of construction workers staged a demonstration in Dharwad on Tuesday. The protestors gathered in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Samyukta Kattada Karmikara Sangha affiliated to AIUTUC and staged the protest demanding that the funds be utilised only for the welfare of workers. Addressing the protestors, president of the district unit of the sangha Gangadhar Badiger said that it is highly condemnable that the funds collected through the hard work of workers are being used for other purposes giving scope for corruption.
“The Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has reduced educational assistance to children of workers on the pretext of scarcity of funds and has kept pending the release of the funds for the last two years. Despite orders on claims, the money has not been remitted to bank accounts. And, unnecessary restrictions are being imposed on pension,” he said. Badiger also said that instead of releasing funds for health, education and pension, the Welfare Board has indulged in distribution of kits where there is scope for large-scale corruption.
Such steps will not only result in the misuse of funds but also in depriving workers of their notified benefits, he said. He demanded that distribution of various kits should be immediately stopped and the amount being spent on them should be immediately directly remitted to the bank accounts of workers. A sum of ₹115 crore, which has been earmarked for school kits, should be utilised for the release of educational assistance to students. Cashless hospitalisation benefits should be ensured to registered workers and their family members, he demanded.
Office-bearer of the sangha Yogappa Jyoteppanavar called upon workers to fight unitedly for getting their rightful demands fulfilled. Chandrakanth Vani, Allahbaksh Kittur, Riyaz Tadkod and others led the protest. Subsequently, they submitted memoranda addressed to the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant Labour Commissioner through officers concerned.
The BriefWire