GUWAHATI: In a significant move aimed at empowering the families of construction workers, the Assam Government has decided to establish five educational institutions exclusively for them.
The decision was made during a meeting to discuss the utilisation of cess funds of the Assam Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (ABOCWWB) held last night.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presided over the meeting, accompanied by the Assam State Labour Welfare Minister Sanjay Kishan and senior officials from the department.
The main focus of the meeting was to review the current fund position and how it could be best utilised to benefit the construction workers and their families.
Following thorough deliberation, Chief Minister Sarma directed the officials to collaborate with the Education Department and the Public Works Department to establish five educational institutions across different regions of the state. The proposed institutions will exclusively cater to the families of construction workers.
To fund the establishment of these educational institutions, the unutilised Cess fund of the Assam Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, amounting to a substantial ₹500 crore, will be allocated. The operational expenses of the institutions will be borne by the Education Department.
Chief Minister Sarma further emphasised that a tripartite agreement would be signed among the Labour and Welfare Department, Public Works Department, and Education Department to ensure the seamless establishment and functioning of the institutions.
The proposed educational institutions are expected to reserve 50 per cent of their seats exclusively for the children and family members of construction workers. This measure is aimed at providing quality education and enhancing the socio-economic status of the workforce that plays a pivotal role in the state's development.
The specific locations of these educational institutions will be determined by the Education Department, taking into consideration accessibility and the needs of the construction worker communities in various regions of Assam.
