The Hindu : Kerala News : Rs.10-crore welfare funds in undeserving hands: Gurudasan

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Rs.10-crore welfare funds in undeserving hands: Gurudasan

Staff Reporter

Says they will be identified by month-end

Labour welfare measure: Minister for Labour P.K. Gurudasan arriving to inaugurate distribution of enhanced welfare funds for labourers in the construction sector in Malappuram on Monday.

MALAPPURAM: More than 20 per cent of the welfare funds meant for labourers in the State is being used by those who are ineligible for the same. Minister for Labour and Excise P.K. Gurudasan said here on Monday that about Rs.10 crore of the labour welfare funds had reached undeserving hands.

Inaugurating the distribution of enhanced welfare funds in the construction sector, Mr. Gurudasan said those who pocketed the welfare funds by cheating the government would be tracked and identified by the end of February. He said stringent action would be taken against them.

Mr. Gurudasan said Rs.50 crore was being given away as labour welfare funds in a year. He said the scheme ensuring minimum wages to all labourers would be implemented in the State soon. Making a comparison between West Bengal and Kerala, the Minister said Kerala was much better in the distribution of labour welfare funds.

The Minister said although the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has said that it would introduce a comprehensive labour law for the unorganised sector by including it in the common minimum programme (CMP), the Centre had failed to implement it.

He inaugurated the distribution of Rs.40.47 lakh as enhanced welfare funds for the labourers working in the construction sector.

M. Ummer, MLA, presided over the function. T.K. Hamza, MP; V. Sasikumar, MLA; and Kiliyamannil Yakoob, Malappuram Municipal Chairman, offered felicitations.

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