Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while lauding the efforts of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) said that it was an appropriate platform to take up the grievances of the workers through-out the country and the State Government was ensuring maximum rights and benefits to the working class in Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister said this while speaking at 287th National Meet of INTUC here today. He was happy to learn that this was the second time that INTUC was organizing its National Meet in Himachal Pradesh, he said.
“Only that State flourishes where utmost care and welfare of the working class is ensured” said the Chief Minister.
He said that INTUC has emerged as strong body at national level protecting interest of the working class and State Government was taking various steps for their welfare and protecting their rights. The passage of time also could not deter the aims and objectives of the organization, he said.
The Chief Minister said that we are committed to provide better working environment to the workers engaged in various industries in the State and safeguarding their interests. He said that the State Government had made it mandatory to provide 70 percent employment to Himachalis in all industrial units in the State.
“I hope that the deliberations reached upon in the meet would certainly benefit the working class and pave the way for formulating a policy document in this regard, which would go a long way in protecting the interests of the workers”. He welcomed the General Secretary, AICC Shri Janardhan Dwivedi and National President, INTUC Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also paid floral tributes on the portrait of former Prime Minister, late Sh Rajeev Gandhi at Rajeev Bhawan.
Shri Janardhan Dewedi, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee on the occasion said that the movement undertaken by INTUC was associated with the socio-economical and cultural upliftment of the working class thereby ensuring their overall development. He said that the Country can be led to progress by amalgamating the traditional culture and modernity. The working class needs to be respected at all levels and more educational opportunities be created for them together with appreciating their dignity for labour.
He said that the INTUC came into existence together with independence of the country and leaders of high caliber and ideals were part of the organization and we need to maintain its values in future.
Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Industries Minister, while speaking on the occasion said that the Government was committed for welfare of working class and had decided to provide Rs. one lakh in case the workers dies during the working hours and Rs. 50 thousand in case of natural death. Besides, housing facility was being provided to those working in industrial belts of the State. Rupees six crore Women Working Hostel was under construction at Baddi.
The Government was also concerned for better education of working class and was providing financial assistance upto Rs. 15,000 annually. He said that Government was also providing Rs. 1500 per month to the workers and their children for upgrading their skill and Rs. 18 thousand annually as Skill Development Allowance, adding that the Government was also providing assistance to undertake professional courses.
He said that the State Government had constituted Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board for unorganized workers, so as to safeguards their interests and provided them a better working environment. He said that the registered worker class was being provided Rs. 25 thousand for his marriage as well as for the marriage of his two children. The Government was also providing bicycle, washing machine, solar lamps and induction stoves free of cost to women workers.
Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy, National President INTUC said that with the consistent efforts of the organization, the INTUC has emerged as a largest organization having more than three crores members in the country. He said that presently the organization has ample resources of its own and expanding day by day.
Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, President, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee also spoke on the occasion.
Bawa Hardeep Singh, State President INTUC welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the occasion besides the delegates associated with INTUC from all over India.
Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh Kaul Singh Thakur, Sh Sujan Singh Pathania, Agriculture and MPP & Power Minister, Sh Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Forest Minister, Col. (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Sh Anil Sharma, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Sh Ashok Singh, National Vice President INTUC, Sh Rajinder Prasad, National General Secretary, INTUC, Ms Veena Singh National President Women INTUC were also present on the occasion among others.