Chandigarh, Jan 23 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has announced a hike from Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000 in the Shagun amount for the marriage of daughters of construction workers in Punjab from April 1, 2021, while also approving Rs 1500 in financial aid to such workers or their family members who test positive for Covid.
This was decided by the Chief Minister while chairing the 27th meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board through Video Conference on Friday evening.
Further, to ease the process of availing the Shagun benefit, Capt Amarinder has approved modification in the existing conditions to make valid marriage certificates issued by any religious body – Gurdwaras, Temples and Churches – acceptable for the purpose. While 50 per cent payment can be availed in advance the rest will be provided on submission of the marriage certificate by the competent authority under the revised rules. Daughters of those registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board are eligible under the scheme.
In another major decision, the Chief Minister also announced compensation worth Rs two lakhs in case of death of a worker in an accident while working in construction activity even if he/ she was not registered with the Construction Board, provided he/ she is otherwise eligible to be registered as a construction worker.
According to an official spokesperson, Capt Amarinder also announced extension in time-frame from the existing six months to one year for submission of application for benefits under various welfare schemes as many workers could not apply in time due to the Covid situation. Further, the construction workers have been allowed to prefer an appeal to the Secretary Board within a period of 120 days instead of 90 days in case their pension application is rejected by the Screening Committee. Under the Balri (Female Child) Birth Gift scheme, the Board has also decided to enhance the time limit for submission of application from six months to one year from the date of the delivery of the girl child of the beneficiary.
