| Staff REPORTER |
ITANAGAR, Jun 9: The All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Welfare Society (AAPWWS) has urged the state government to ensure the proper utilisation of non-statutory schemes under the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB) so that registered construction workers receive the intended benefits.
Addressing a press conference here today, AAPWWS general secretary Karbia Sonam Tara said the organisation had submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary seeking a review of the Board's expenditure practices.
The Society alleged that funds generated through the one per cent Labour Welfare Cess collected from various construction projects under the Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996, were being diverted towards activities not directly related to the welfare of registered construction workers.
According to the AAPWWS, the cess fund is intended to provide social security and welfare benefits such as housing assistance, disability pension, financial aid for the purchase of tools and support to families in the event of a worker’s death. The organisation alleged that the funds is being used for activities such as distribution of blankets, mosquito nets, umbrellas, toilet kits and dinner sets, as well as the conduct of medical camps and awareness programmes under non-statutory schemes.
Claiming that the allegations are based on documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Society appealed to the government to examine the matter and ensure that labour welfare funds are utilised strictly in accordance with the intended purpose.