Punjab and Haryana aid construction workers during Covid crisis

22 Jul 2021 CW Team

On Tuesday, Minister of Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav gave the information in the Lok Sabha. According to reports, the Haryana government only distributed Rs 154 crore to 3.10 lakh such workers during the first Covid wave.

Similarly, during the first Covid wave, the Himachal Pradesh government distributed Rs 77 crore to 1.33 lakh building and other construction workers, and the UT Chandigarh administration distributed Rs 4 crore to 6,670 such workers.

The first Covid wave began in mid-February and peaked in the second week of May 2020. The second Covid wave began in mid-February and peaked in the second week of May.

Yadav told the media that in the face of a difficult situation caused by the outbreak of Covid-19, which has resulted in financial constraints among building and other construction workers.

The central government had issued a directive to states and union territories to draught a scheme under Section 22(1)(h) of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 to transfer adequate funds into construction workers' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Construction, manufacturing, essential services, and public transportation were all exempt from the lockdowns imposed by state governments and district administrations and continued to operate normally.

In response to the first wave of Covid-19, the state and UT building and other construction workers welfare boards disbursed over Rs 5,618 crores through DBT to the bank accounts of 1.83 crore such workers across the country during the lockdown and afterwards, in addition to delivering food relief packages.

Image Source

Also read: Covid-19 lockdown impact: One lakh construction workers leave Hyd

Also read: Covid-19 second wave: State govts offer assistance to construction workers

During the first Covid wave, the Punjab Government distributed Rs 174 crore to 2.90 lakh building and other construction workers, while the second Covid wave distributed Rs 87 crore to 5.81 lakh such workers. On Tuesday, Minister of Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav gave the information in the Lok Sabha. According to reports, the Haryana government only distributed Rs 154 crore to 3.10 lakh such workers during the first Covid wave. Similarly, during the first Covid wave, the Himachal Pradesh government distributed Rs 77 crore to 1.33 lakh building and other construction workers, and the UT Chandigarh administration distributed Rs 4 crore to 6,670 such workers. The first Covid wave began in mid-February and peaked in the second week of May 2020. The second Covid wave began in mid-February and peaked in the second week of May. Yadav told the media that in the face of a difficult situation caused by the outbreak of Covid-19, which has resulted in financial constraints among building and other construction workers. The central government had issued a directive to states and union territories to draught a scheme under Section 22(1)(h) of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 to transfer adequate funds into construction workers' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Construction, manufacturing, essential services, and public transportation were all exempt from the lockdowns imposed by state governments and district administrations and continued to operate normally. In response to the first wave of Covid-19, the state and UT building and other construction workers welfare boards disbursed over Rs 5,618 crores through DBT to the bank accounts of 1.83 crore such workers across the country during the lockdown and afterwards, in addition to delivering food relief packages. Image Source Also read: Covid-19 lockdown impact: One lakh construction workers leave Hyd Also read: Covid-19 second wave: State govts offer assistance to construction workers

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..