On Tuesday, the Ministry of Labor and Employment said it has started providing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) benefits to economically weaker workers. The ministry asked the state governments to include migrant workers, building construction workers, beedi workers, cinema workers, non-coal mine workers, contract labourers, and other unorganized workers under PMAY.
This decision was taken after the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to extend the implementation of PMAY from FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29. This initiative emphasizes meeting the need for housing for economically weaker workers, with a target of two crore additional houses for the eligible beneficiaries.
A Matter Of Social Justice
According to the Ministry of Labor, these workers represent the deprived section of society, and bringing them under the ambit of PM Awas Yojana is a matter of social justice and a necessary step towards improving their standard of living. The ministry said the Management Information System (MIS) portal launched on August 21, 2024, for construction and migrant workers is now fully operational.
This portal has been designed to facilitate the collection and analysis of data. This includes information on the use of funds and workers’ coverage under various central and state social security schemes such as insurance, health benefits, and housing schemes.
How Will The System Benefit
The centralized data management system will enable state governments and union territories to make accurate decisions and develop more effective welfare policies that meet the needs of these disadvantaged workers. The ministry has directed the welfare commissioners posted in various states to work closely with the local authorities to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
What Did The Government Say On ELI
Meanwhile, as part of the stakeholder consultation on the employment-linked incentive scheme, Union Labor and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a meeting with representatives of employer organizations in the capital on Tuesday. Mandaviya said that the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme is an important step towards building a more prosperous and inclusive India. Mandaviya said we are committed to working closely with stakeholders to design a strong, inclusive scheme that aligns with the economy’s needs.
