Bhubaneswar: Labour and Employees State Insurance Minister Shri Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia presented the departmental budget for 2026-27 on Tuesday, announcing a total allocation of 7385 crore. The budget introduces several new initiatives focused on the health, dignity, and financial security of workers in the unorganised and construction sectors. Key highlights include the introduction of workplace health check-up schemes and annual medical examinations for insured persons under the ESI scheme.
To strengthen social responsibility at the grassroots level, the government has proposed incentives for Gram Panchayats that successfully become child labour-free. The budget also includes an enhancement of funeral assistance for construction and unorganised workers and the development of a digital module to track minimum wage payments in government projects. To improve administrative efficiency, 55 crore has been allocated for new labour office buildings in 50 blocks, following the recent appointment of 147 Assistant Labour Officers.
Later addressing the Media, Minister said that 14 districts have been identified as migration-prone. A provision of 8.36 crore has been made for safety and welfare activities, including a digital tracker for distress migration and the expansion of seasonal hostels for the children of migrant labourers. The state is also piloting a scheme portability program in collaboration with the World Food Program to ensure workers can access benefits across borders.
For the protection of child labour, 5.43 crore has been earmarked to implement a convergence-based elimination plan involving nine different government departments. This plan emphasizes rescue, rehabilitation, and education for children, supported by a new digital tracking system and community awareness programs.
The Minister also highlighted the expansion of the Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board, which now covers 60 categories of workers. The government is currently considering the inclusion of gig platform workers to extend social security benefits to them and their families. Current benefits for registered workers include accidental death assistance of 4 lakhs and natural death assistance of 2 lakhs. Additionally, the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board plans to disburse 600 crore from the Cess Fund for various social security benefits in the coming year.
Significant labour reforms are also underway following the implementation of new Labour Codes on November 21, 2025. These reforms include a single pan-India registration system for establishments, replacing multiple older registrations, and the introduction of deemed registration if applications are not processed within a set period. The Par-e-shram portal will be further strengthened with a 6.32 crore investment to provide 67 online services, facilitating ease of doing business in the state.
In the healthcare sector, the ESI scheme now covers the entire state with approximately 11 lakh insured persons. Infrastructure developments include the approval of an ESI Medical College at Andharua and the upgrading of the Bhubaneswar ESI Hospital to 220 beds. Five new 100-bedded hospitals are also planned for Jharsuguda, Berhampur, Paradeep, Duburi, and Baleswar to ensure better medical access for the state’s workforce.