Naveen launches housing scheme for construction workers

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today launched Pucca Ghara Yojana (concrete housing scheme) for construction workers of the state.

“My government always wants that all construction workers of the state should get a house of their own. The state government has decided to provide an assistance of Rs 1 lakh to each registered construction worker of the state for construction of his/her house under the Yojana,” Patnaik said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of the start of Nirman Shramik Seva Saptaha (Construction Workers' Service Week).

He said 1200 registered construction workers would be included in the first phase of the scheme.

Claiming that the Odisha had become a role model for other states in terms of the socio-economic development of construction workers, he said his government had implemented a number of schemes for them, including schemes to ensure the education and safeguard the health of their children.

“Out of 12.6 lakh registered construction workers, 2.5 lakh have received government benefits in about Rs 90 crore in different sectors,” the chief minister said, adding that the government will provide Rs 10 crore assistance to over 25,000 registered construction workers.

Stating that the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board had provided identity cards to more than 10,000 eligible construction workers, he said the state government has decided to set up skill development centres in all 30 districts to enhance the skill of the construction workers.

“The objective of setting up of the skill development centres is to ensure that construction workers get higher wages if they are more skilled in their work,” Patnaik pointed out.

Referring to The chief minister said the state government is concerned about construction workers working outside the state and has taken up measures to ensure their well-being.

“As part of its efforts in this regard, the state government has signed agreements with the Odisha Shramik Sangathan in Chennai and Bengaluru,” he added.