Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh has announced a hike from ₹31,000 to ₹51,000 in the Shagun amount for the marriage of daughters of construction workers in Punjab from April 1, 2021, while also approving ₹1,500 in financial aid to such workers or their family members who test positive for Covid.
This was decided by the CM while chairing the 27th meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board through Video Conference on Friday evening.
He also approved modification in the existing conditions to make valid marriage certificates issued by any religious body – gurdwaras, temples and churches – acceptable for the purpose. While 50% payment can be availed in advance the rest shall be provided on submission of the marriage certificate by the competent authority under the revised rules. Daughters of those registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board are eligible under the scheme.
In another major decision, he announced compensation worth ₹2 lakh in case of death of a worker in an accident while working in construction activity even if he/ she was not registered with the construction board, provided he/ she is otherwise eligible to be registered as a construction worker.
Further, the construction workers have been allowed to refer an appeal to the Secretary Board within a period of 120 days instead of 90 days in case their pension application is rejected by the Screening Committee.
In another relaxation to rules for availing benefits under various schemes, construction workers can now submit any 2 of the four Government documents, namely Aadhaar card, Pan card, Voter card and Ration card.
The Board also announced a hike in the annual stipend, to ₹35,000 from ₹25,000 for boys and to ₹40,000 from ₹30,000 for girls pursuing degree/ post graduate degree courses in pharmaceutical/ para medical studies.
Hostel stipend has also been increased to ₹50,000 from ₹40,000 per year for boys and ₹55,000 from ₹45,000 for girls studying in degree/ post graduate degree courses in pharmaceutical/Para Medical studies. For medical and engineering students, the hike in annual stipend for boys is from ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 and for girls from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000, with hostel stipend increased to ₹70,000 and ₹80,000, respectively.
