LABOUR MINISTER CALLS FOR RATIONALISATION OF
WELFARE SCHEMES FOR MINE WORKERS
The Labour Minister
Shri Sharad Yadav has called for simplifying and rationalizing
of the welfare schemes for mine workers and their dependents.
Addressing the 14th meeting of the Central Advisory
Committee on Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare
Fund here today, Shri Yadav said that many of the welfare schemes
were formulated long ago and since then there have been many changes
in the mining industry. He said that with increased mechanism
production of ores has increased, but there has been no increase
in employment. However, remuneration of workers has increased
and to retain them in the ambit of welfare schemes, the eligibility
ceiling was raised to Rs.10,000 per month, added Shri Yadav. He
said that the Labour Ministry is running five central hospitals
and 22 dispensaries in the mining areas to provide free health
care to mine workers and their dependents. The Labour Minister
said that during the five years ending 2001, grant-in-aid was
given to 190 managements for running their dispensaries in which
15 lakh patients were treated. He said over 22 thousand scholarship
were given to the children of mine workers and financial assistance
was provided for construction of more than 2600 houses and over
50 water supply schemes.
Welcoming the members
Dr. P.D. Shenoy called for setting up of new schemes and enhancing
of benefits. He also stressed upon generation of awareness about
the welfare schemes for which camps should be held in the mining
areas.
