944 migrant workers provided free accommodation, ration
SHOPIAN, JUNE 3: In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic and continuation of lockdown all across UT of Jammu and Kashmir, the Labour department in District Shopian has been taking several initiatives to mitigate the sufferings of the economically weaker sections of the society, particularly labour class in the district.
As a sequel to the significant measures taken earlier by the department for extending financial assistance to the registered construction workers, Assistant Labour Commissioner Shopian, Abdul Majid Tantray said that there are 2490 active labourers registered with the department who are getting benefits under various schemes approved by the Government for their welfare. “Immediately after announcement of lockdown in the district, the department mobilized all the available resources and started depositing relief amount directly into the accounts of the registered labourers”, said the officer, adding that in the first phase the department disbursed Rs 23.65 lakh aimed to ease the financial constraints of this class of the society.
“As second installment, the department released and credited Rs 23.48 lakh in the accounts of these labourers while in 3rd phase Rs 23.74 stands transferred into the accounts of these beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer mode under the Welfare Scheme meant for building and other construction workers registered with the Labour department thereby benefitting 2490 active workers”, the officer said.
“The three installments of relief worth Rs 70.87 released into the accounts of beneficiaries for the month of March, April and May has helped the workers to purchase ration and other essential commodities and all that was done when covid situation resulted in loss of livelihood of these workers. All these measures have been taken by Labour department under extraordinary and adverse circumstances in order to provide a sigh of relief to the construction workers”, the officer informed.
He said Government is committed to safeguard the rights and interests of the labour class and the prevailing circumstances have increased the responsibility of the department to address the difficulties being faced by the labourers.
Regarding the assistance extended to the migrant workers, the officer said that there are 944 migrant workers stranded in the district, who have been accommodated at different locations and are being provided every possible help as per the directions of the Government. He said that all arrangements have been made for sustenance of these migrant labourers who have been kept at five locations in the district; 341 labourers in Rainbow International School, 129 in Higher Secondary School Keegam, 213 in High School Imam Sahab, 213 in High School Zainapora & 48 in Wachi, the officer informed. They are being provided free of cost ration and other required eatables while efforts are on to facilitate their safe return to their homes.
