Nod to rules for construction workers

The decision, which is expected to go a long way, was taken at meeting of the state Cabinet, held here this afternoon. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over the meeting.

The Chief Minister, when contacted, said, “The decision to approve the Himachal Pradesh Building and other Construction Workers (regulation of employment conditions) Services Rules, 2008, will give a sense of security to thousands of poor workers and their families.”

He said the state’s labour department will enforce the rules and supervise the working conditions and grant of benefits including group insurance cover, financial assistance in case of accidents, ailments, maternity leave for women employees and loans for construction of houses. All construction workers, in the public and private sector, in the age group of 18 to 60 will be brought under the Rules.

A state welfare board will be constituted to monitor the implementation of the Act. The Rules will be applicable to the establishments engaged in construction activities and employing 10 or more workers for a value of over Rs 10 lakh.

The government has decided to levy a cess of 1 per cent on the workers to undertake their welfare activities. These activities will also include benefit of pension and financial assistance for children’s education. Their working conditions would be regulated by a competent authority to ensure safety of workers, Dhumal told

The Indian Express after the meeting.

Two other significant decisions taken by the Cabinet include convening of the state Assembly’s winter session from December 11 to 17 at Dharamshala and setting of forest police stations (van thanas) at block levels for protection of the forest wealth and checking illicit felling of trees.

The details on van thanas say these thanas will be headed by a block officer supported by five to six forest guards and three to four forest workers clad in prescribed khaki uniform. They would conduct joint patrolling and function under the overall control of the Forest Range Officer.

The government also approved introduction of helitaxi services — a long-waited move to boost adventure tourism. The tourism department will invite technical and financial bids for introduction of tourist helicopter services from the private sector. The Cabinet also approved extension in the completion of the Shah Nahar Project, Division Ghandran, up to March, 2010.

The Cabinet granted approval for regularisation of services of non-B.Ed contract school cadre lecturers by granting relaxation in the B.Ed qualification condition in favour of those who have completed eight years of continuous service as on March 31, 2008. All such teachers will qualify for the next increment and promotion only after acquiring the prescribed B.Ed degree.

The relaxation was also granted to 17 agriculture extension officers for promotion to the post of agriculture development officer if they possess a B.Sc (Agriculture) degree under 10+2+3 system from any recognised university.

It sanctioned 36 posts of different categories to make the three newly upgraded government senior secondary schools functional and sanctioned two posts of clerks in the transport department under 3 per cent reservation quota to outstanding sportsmen.

It also approved upgrading of the post of deputy director in Tourism and Civil Aviation Department to joint director.

The Cabinet approved enhancement in the import duty of the beer from Re 1 to Rs 2 per bottle of 650 ml and permitted issuance of License B-1 for setting up of Craft beer plant at Gagret in Una by M/s TVB Craft Breweries.

Major Cabinet decisions

* Construction workers to get benefits including group insurance cover, financial assistance in case of accidents, ailments, maternity leave for women employees and loans for construction of houses, children’s’ education.

* State Assembly session at Dharamshala from December 11 to 17.

* Forest police stations (van thanas) at block levels for protection of forest wealth and checking illicit felling.

* Heli-taxi services to be introduced in Himachal.

* Regularisation of services of non-B.Ed contract school cadre lecturers by granting relaxation in B.Ed qualification

* Upgrading post of deputy director in tourism as joint director.