Punjab to Register 10 Lakh Construction Workers Free of Cost, CM Mann Announces Welfare Drive

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a major welfare initiative for construction workers, stating that the state government will launch a special campaign to register and revalidate 10 lakh construction workers free of cost under the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board.
Chairing a review meeting of the welfare board, the Chief Minister said the government will bear the entire cost of registration and renewal, spending nearly ₹15 crore to ensure that eligible workers receive social security coverage, welfare benefits and access to skill development programmes.
Mann said the welfare board was established to improve the socio-economic conditions of construction workers, but many labourers have remained outside its ambit due to procedural delays and registration-related hurdles. Despite rapid urbanisation and large-scale construction activities across Punjab, only 2.21 lakh workers are currently registered with the board.
To increase enrolment, the state government will organise special registration and revalidation camps across villages and urban centres. Special evening camps will also be conducted to facilitate workers who are unable to attend during regular working hours.
The Chief Minister noted that many workers avoid registration due to the ₹145 fee charged for enrolment and renewal. As part of the campaign, the government will waive these charges completely to encourage maximum participation.
Highlighting administrative reforms, Mann said the processing time for labour welfare schemes has been significantly reduced. While beneficiaries earlier had to wait up to 203 days during 2022-23, the approval period has now been brought down to 73 days, allowing workers to access assistance and benefits much faster.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to improve facilities at labour chowks across the state. He directed the concerned departments to provide basic amenities such as shelters and clean drinking water for workers waiting for employment opportunities.
50,000 Workers to Receive Skill Training
As part of efforts to enhance employability and income opportunities, Mann directed the welfare board to share details of 50,000 active registered workers with the Punjab Skill Development Mission for specialised training programmes.
The training will cover a range of high-demand construction skills, including masonry, bar bending, shuttering carpentry, scaffolding, electrical work, surveying, construction painting, fabrication, quality assurance and road construction.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at improving the skill levels of workers and helping them secure better-paying jobs in the construction sector.
Focus on Women Construction Workers
The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to ensure that women labourers receive the benefits of government welfare schemes. He directed officials to include eligible women construction workers under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna and other social welfare programmes.
“The benefits of government schemes must reach every eligible worker, especially women labourers who often remain excluded from the welfare system,” Mann said.
Labour Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and senior government officials attended the review meeting.