Pension scheme for construction workers launched

In a bid to expand social security among the people belonging to the weaker section, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a pension scheme for construction workers.
The construction workers after attaining the age of 60 years would be eligible to receive pension of Rs 300 per month. Workers above 80 years will get Rs 500 every month as pension, Patnaik said.
While 10 lakh constuction workers were availing different benefits announced by the state government, the target was to reach the benefit 25 lakh people engaged in construction activities, he said.
"The state government had launched housing grant of Rs one lakh for the construction workers in rural areas under the Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana last year. The amount has been raised upto Rs 1.30 lakh," Patnaik said after launching the pension scheme.

Though the state government had earlier announced that workers needed to be registered with the Construction Workers Welfare Board for at least five years to be eligible for the monthly pension scheme, the requirement has now been relaxed.
The widows of construction workers and those who become differently abled would also get the monthly pension, he said.
Stating that the construction workers are the drivers of development, Patnaik said skill development programmes, scholarships for their children, maternity help for them have already been launched.