Over 45K workers availed benefits worth Rs. 146.77 crore from April 1 to date: Minister Sondh
Chandigarh, March 10:
Announcing a major turnaround in construction workers’ welfare, Punjab Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh revealed that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has streamlined processes, cutting application processing time from 165 days to just 62 days. This move has led to a surge in benefits, with 45,578 workers receiving Rs. 146.77 crore since April 1, 2025 – over 10 times the Rs. 14.73 crore disbursed to 4,977 workers in the previous government’s last financial year.
The Minister asserted that the data itself clearly reflects the difference in the working and commitment of the two governments.
While replying to a query in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh said that apart from other public welfare initiatives, the Mann Government has also streamlined the functioning of the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board to ensure timely financial assistance to registered construction workers. He added that their government is working hard to further reduce the processing time limit to only 45 days.
Mr. Sondh said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has been working day in, day out to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes reach every eligible and needy person of the state in a transparent, hassle-free and time-bound manner.
Highlighting the welfare initiatives of the Board, the Labour Minister said that the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board is implementing several schemes for the welfare and social security of construction workers and their families. These include Balri Tohfa (for up to two daughters), Ex-gratia Life Cover, Financial Assistance for Funeral, General Surgery Aid for beneficiaries and their family members, LTC benefits, Maternity Benefits (for up to two living children), benefits for mentally challenged or handicapped children, assistance in case of occupational diseases for beneficiaries and their family members, Pension after attaining 60 years of age including family/widow pension, Shagun Scheme for marriage of daughters, and stipend for education of workers’ children.
Mr. Sondh reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of these welfare schemes reach every eligible construction worker in the state. He said the government is continuously simplifying procedures and strengthening the functioning of the Board so that workers can receive financial assistance without unnecessary delay.
Appealing to construction workers across Punjab, the Labour Minister urged them to get themselves registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board in order to avail the benefits of these welfare schemes. He said that registration with the Board provides construction workers and their families access to various social security measures and financial assistance in times of need.
