JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB) has collected Rs 2,098.47 crore in cess from 2010 to 2023, while expenditure on workers’ welfare stood at Rs 1,153.83 crore, government data has revealed. The figures highlight the substantial financial inflow into the board, though concerns remain over the effective utilisation of funds for registered workers.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Labour and Employment Department data that was tabled in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, the board currently has 5.72 lakh registered workers, of whom 2.78 lakh are active. In recent years, cess collections have seen an upward trend, with Rs 185.04 crore collected in 2020-21, Rs 217.19 crore in 2021-22, Rs 243 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 256.44 crore in 2023-24. However, concerns have been raised about the pace and adequacy of expenditure, with Rs 173.03 crore spent in 2020-21, Rs 220.96 crore in 2021-22, Rs 149.27 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 209.96 crore in 2023-24.
The government has stated that steps are being taken to enhance the registration of workers under JKBOCWWB to ensure more labourers benefit from welfare schemes. Efforts include awareness drives, online registration facilities, and improved accessibility through Common Service Centres. Despite these initiatives, stakeholders have questioned delays in implementing certain schemes, particularly pension benefits for workers above 60 years, which remain under consideration.
Welfare schemes operational under JKBOCWWB include financial assistance for accidental and natural deaths (Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively), chronic diseases (Rs 1.5 lakh), permanent disability (Rs 4.5 lakh for over 50 per cent disability), and education assistance (Rs 2,800 to Rs 48,000 per annum). The government has assured that allocations for these schemes will be sustained, with additional measures to ensure timely disbursements.
The issue of minimum wages has also been highlighted, with the government stating that wages were last revised in October 2022 under SO-513, following cost-of-living assessments. A committee constituted in April 2024 is reviewing further enhancements, particularly the inclusion of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), which is revised every six months for central government workers but is yet to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
Another key concern is the delay in the reconstitution of the Board of Directors (BoD) of JKBOCWWB, which is necessary for key policy decisions, including pension provisions. The government has said that the proposal for BoD reconstitution is under active consideration.
While cess collections remain robust, effective disbursement and implementation of welfare schemes continue to be pressing issues, with workers and labour unions urging the government to expedite pending decisions.
The welfare schemes under JKBOCWWB cover a range of benefits, including ex-gratia payments, education aid, marriage assistance, maternity benefits, and medical support. Special provisions exist for children of registered workers securing high marks in board exams, along with funeral assistance and temporary disability aid. The board has also introduced an online application process to streamline the disbursement of these benefits, ensuring easier access for registered workers.
