Punjab eases rules for worker welfare schemes

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The North News

Chandigarh, August 13

Punjab Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond has announced key relaxations in several worker welfare schemes to make them more accessible. Under the Shagun Scheme of the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board, the earlier requirement of a marriage certificate issued by a Tehsildar has been removed. Workers can now submit a certificate from the religious institution where the marriage was solemnised, along with self-declarations from both families. The scheme provides Rs 51,000 in financial assistance.

Maternity benefits of Rs 21,000 for female construction workers and Rs 5,000 for male workers are now granted upon submission of a child’s birth certificate only, replacing the earlier need for a child’s Aadhaar card. The Punjab Labour Welfare Board has also dropped the registered marriage certificate requirement for Shagun Scheme benefits, allowing photographs of the religious ceremony and officiants to be accepted.

Additionally, the two-year service condition under the Stipend Scheme for workers’ children has been abolished. Workers will now be eligible from the day they begin making contributions. Sond said MNREGA workers who have completed more than 90 days of work are being encouraged to register with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board to access benefits.

A budget of Rs 1 crore has been approved for awareness programmes on welfare schemes, following a decision in the board’s 55th meeting in February 2025.