KUNDAPUR: The Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandes said on Friday that the Union Government has sanctioned Rs. 12 crore for repairing the National Highway 17 in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

Addressing presspersons at Kundapur, Mr. Fernandes said he had personally brought the issue of poor condition of National Highway 17 to the Minister of State for National Highways K.H. Muniyappa. The State Government could use its funds for the repair work of the National Highway 17 and later claim it from the Centre.

On the issue of plight of arecanut farmers consequent to the announcement of Centre contemplating a ban on gutka, he said he would be meeting a delegation of arecanut growers from the State. A delegation would also be coming to Delhi to discuss the issue.

On the objections by the IT and ITES industry about applying labour laws in this industry, he said both the industries would come under the unorganised sector. A Bill will be introduced in the Parliament to provide social security to the workers in the unorganised sector. This matter would be discussed in detail. The law of the land will prevail, he said.

Interest rate

On the issue of raising interest rate of Employees Provident Fund, he said the wisdom of the Central Board of Trustees of Provident Fund would prevail. The differences of opinion on labour reforms in Special Economic Zones would be sorted through discussions, Mr. Fernandes said.

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