Speaking in a press conference at Manipur Press Club, general secretary of the union Waikhom Bina Chanu said that financial assistance for the education of building workers’ children for the year 2018-19, 20219-20 and 2020-21 have been cancelled by the board.  

Bina raised grievances on behalf of building workers and labourers while lamenting that the 15th board meeting of the welfare board that was held on October 5 took the decision to cancel the financial assistance. A notice concerning the cancellation has also been issued to all the registered building workers, she said.  

However, the notice also mentioned that beneficiaries will need to submit fresh applications to avail financial assistance for the year 2021-22, she said. It stated that an announcement will be shortly made accordingly at the official website and the local newspapers as well, she added. “But why are they cancelling the financial assistance after a gap of so many years and making new plans about submitting fresh applications for the year 2021-22? The notice was issued by secretary of the board K Bono,” she said.

Bina further said that labourers have been seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The medical claims; old age pensions for those above 60 have not been given out for many years, she further said, while appealing to hand out all pending assistance to building workers.

It may be mentioned that the financial assistance may be extended to the beneficiaries, who have been registered as building workers, for the education of their children under clause (e) of sub section (1) section 22 of Building and Construction Workers Act.  The financial assistance of Rs 5,000  per annum per child studying up to Higher Secondary or equivalent; Rs 7,500  per annum per child studying up to B.A./B.Sc/B.Com/Diploma; Rs.10,000  per annum per child studying Post Graduate Degree/Diploma Course; Rs 37,500 per annum per child studying Engineering or Medical Degree may be provided as per the act