Govt. committed to welfare of 'rashtra nirmata': PM Modi

Asserting that his government is fully committed to development of a generous and comprehensive social safety net for all workers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said a healthy and prosperous workforce can transform the nation.

"My government is committed to the development of a generous and comprehensive social safety net for all workers. A healthy and prosperous workforce will make a affluent nation," said Prime Minister Modi.

"We should strive to make this medical college and hospital a model for high quality medical education and treatment to workers of the state," he added.

Prime Minister Modi, who was delivering his speech after inaugurating the ESI Hospital here, said several initiatives have been started to improve the quality of service delivery in ESI hospitals.

"From modest beginning in 1952 with just two centers in Kanpur and Delhi, ESI scheme today is implemented in 830 centers in 34 states and Union Territories," he added.

He pointed out that the government has taken a number of path-breaking steps for the welfare of the country's workforce.

"From September 2014, we have revised the Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) pension to a minimum of Rs.1000 per month. The wage ceiling for EPF benefits has been raised from Rs. 6500 to Rs. 15000 since 1st September 2014," he said.

"Bonus Act has been amended to increase the ceilings for eligibility and bonus payable to Rs. 21,000 and Rs. 7000 per month respectively," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said that the concerned ministry is simplifying central labour laws by consolidating existing 44 laws into four labour codes.

He said that four state government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu at Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Madurai have been approved for upgradation.

The Prime Minister also remembered Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's contribution as Labour Minister and his efforts towards labour welfare.