Kaumudi impact; one month's construction worker pension to be paid immediately

KOCHI: The government has decided to pay one month's arrears before Thiruvonam to construction workers who have not received their welfare pension for nearly a year and a half. Labor Minister V Sivankutty told Kerala Kaumudi that the entire arrears would be settled within six months.

The decision will benefit 3.80 lakh people, including those who became eligible for pension recently. The action was taken considering the news published by Kerala Kaumudi under the title '13 months since suspension of construction worker pension'.

The board has found 62 crores to be paid, including one month's arrears of Rs 1,600 as pension and other benefits. The Minister discussed the matter with senior officials of the Labor Department and the Chairman of the Construction Workers Welfare Fund Board. The decision was taken in the discussion held after this in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Next week, Sivankutty will hold talks with Local Government Minister MB Rajesh on the issue of speedy collection of building cess.

The software developed by the Information Kerala Mission (IKM) to collect cess is now operational. With online collection of cess, Rs 80 crore will reach the board every month. The cess arrears till January 16, 2024 are around 400 crores. The Minister said that this amount should be collected by the Labor Department and instructions have been given to it.

Reason for increase in arrears

When the local bodies were tasked to collect cess, the department took a stand that it could be done online only. It took six months to get the software for this purpose ready. That is how the arrears crossed 800 crores.

Beneficiaries

2.5 lakh people when the pension was Rs.600

3.80 lakh when the pension is Rs.1,600

The income of the board is 35 crores per month

The monthly expenditure is more than 80 crores

Decided to take action as soon as the Kerala Kaumudi news came to attention. It will also be checked if there are any ineligible persons.

V Sivankutty,

Labor Minister