Bhubaneswar: The third meeting of the Odisha Labour Welfare Board convened today at the departmental conference room in Kharavela Bhawan, with a strong focus on enhancing the welfare and security of the state’s workforce. The meeting saw active participation from government officials, industry leaders, and labour union representatives, collectively emphasizing the indispensable role of workers in Odisha’s progress.
Shri Ganesh Ram Sing Khuntia, Minister of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance and Chairman of the Board, presided over the meeting, stating emphatically, “Without labour force, prosperity is impossible. Workers are an important part of our country, they are the foundation of the country, the backbone of nation building, the real nation builders. The country cannot progress by neglecting them.” He underscored that true “glory of labour is achieved only by giving dignity to the workers.” Minister Sing Khuntia highlighted Odisha’s status as a labour-rich state and reiterated the state government’s commitment to “service, dedication and good governance,” ensuring government facilities reach even the last person in society. He urged departmental officers to make sincere and continuous efforts to resolve the issues faced by lakhs of workers in Odisha, focusing on their overall development, legal, and social security.
Shrimati Chitra Arumugam, Principal Secretary of the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department and Vice Chairperson of the Odisha Workers Welfare Board, detailed the significant steps taken by the state government for worker welfare over the past year. She noted the restructuring of the Workers Welfare Board for the organized sector and called upon owners and workers’ union representatives to actively utilize and promote various schemes, urging industrialists and factory owners to ensure timely contributions to the fund.
Shri Indramani Tripathi, Labour Commissioner, Odisha, delivered the welcome address, outlining the vision and operational framework of the Odisha Labour Welfare Board.
A key highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the Pareshram Portal (“pareshram-labour.odisha.gov.in”), an initiative developed by the Directorate of Labour and the Directorate of Factories and Boilers. This portal aims to automate services under various labour laws, providing functionalities such as Code Allotment/Unique ID (Registration) (Form-A), Notification of Change (Correction) (Form-B), Notification of Closure (Cancellation) (Form-C), and Annual Contribution or Payment (Form-F).
Under The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Act, 2005, and The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Rules, 2015, provisions are made for the payment of unpaid deposits and penalties. The fund’s primary sources include a contribution of Rs. 20/- per employee and Rs. 40/- per employer. Currently, the Board commands a robust fund of approximately Rs. 34.48 crore.
In line with Section 12 of the Act, which mandates the utilization of funds for welfare schemes, the Board proposed several impactful initiatives:
- Scholarship Scheme: A one-time scholarship of Rs. 1 lakh for meritorious children of contributing employees pursuing quality technical and professional courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in prestigious Government Medical Colleges and institutions like IITs, NITs, IIMs, IISc, IISER, NISER, AIIMS, MBBS, and BDS.
- Financial Assistance for National Institutions: Rs. 50,000/- for admission to other Government Institutions of National repute through National Level Common Entrance Examinations.
- Support for Disabled Children: One-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000/- or more for disabled children pursuing any undergraduate or higher course.
- Incentive for Academic Excellence: One-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000/- or more for children securing 90% or more marks in the 10th or 12th Board Examinations.
- Death Compensation: Financial assistance of Rs. 50,000/- in case of natural death and Rs. 1 lakh in case of accidental death of a contributing employee.
The meeting saw useful proposals for worker welfare presented by various dignitaries, including Special Secretary and Director of ESI Mrs. Madhumita Nayak, Additional Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal, other senior departmental officers, Joint Labour Commissioner, and representatives from the Finance, Industries, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and Higher Education Departments.
Also present were top officials from NALCO, IFFCO, Tata Steel Kalinga City, Infosys, JK Paper Limited, Apollo Hospitals, Jindal Steel, and leaders from prominent labour unions such as INTUC, Hind Mazdoor Sangh, CITU, AICCTU, and AIUTUC. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Niti Ranjan Sen, Additional Secretary of the Department.