No Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Construction Workers’ Welfare in Jammu Kashmir: Govt | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday stated that no Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) is currently being implemented by the Labour and Employment Department specifically for the welfare of building and construction workers in the Union Territory.

Responding to a question in the Legislative Assembly from MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar regarding welfare schemes, the government said the welfare of building and other construction workers (BOCWs) is being managed through the Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under the provisions of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, which has now been integrated into the Code on Social Security, 2020, effective from November 21, 2025.

“The Welfare Board is tasked with implementing measures for registered construction workers, including assistance related to health, safety, education, social security, and support for dependent family members,” the government said.

Key welfare measures currently in place include financial aid in case of accidental death or permanent disability, ex-gratia assistance for natural death, educational scholarships for children, marriage assistance for daughters, maternity benefits for registered female workers, medical support for serious illnesses, funeral assistance, old-age pension/assistance, and skill development and safety training programmes.

The government further noted that the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been made operational in the Union Territory, and draft rules under the Code are under preparation. Once the rules are finalised, statutory boards—including the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers, and boards for gig and platform workers—will be constituted or reconstituted to enhance social security coverage for workers.