The Union Ministry of Labor in its reply to an RTI (Right to Information Act) said that various state Construction Workers Welfare Boards‘70 collected by rds from employer for welfare of workers,744.16 crore is yet to be utilized. Since 2005, b‘rds collects a total of 1 as cess or tax from the employer or owner,17,507.22 crore and out of which 67 are for workers,669.92 crore has been allocated.
The Act passed in 1996 empowers state governments to levy a tax ranging from 1 percent to 2 percent of the cost of construction work. By September 30, 2024, 36 State Welfare Boards will be established‘About 5,73,48,723 workers have registered. On the other hand, In March 2020, a‘During the Vide lockdown when the workers went back to their villages, It is also alleged that the central and state governments did not provide any assistance to them.
Ork Rajpandit, national secretary of the Construction Workers Federation of India, who filed the RTI, said the findings revealed massive tax evasion by builders and employers. such as, A total of 19 in the last 19 years in Maharashtra,489.25 crore collected, This is far less than the realistic figures. The labor leader argued that states were spending a very small portion of the money collected on workers’ welfare. According to the data, Maharashtra has had 13 in the last 19 years,683.18 crore, 7. Karnataka,921.42 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs,826.66 crore has been spent. Currently, there are 9 accounts in Maharashtra,731.83 crores, Karnataka has 7,547.23 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs,506.04 crores are deposited.
Mr. Rajpandit added that if the Central Government implements the new Social Security Act, Then the tax collection process will be weakened as it allows the owner to determine his own tax. In the past, the law provided free temporary accommodation to workers, Provision of drinking water and toilet facilities was mandatory, However, the new statute risks eliminating this right. He said most of the states and Union Territories, except Kerala, have not implemented the Act properly and workers are being denied the benefits they deserve. Many state governments have introduced welfare bs to keep left-wing trade union representatives at bay‘Complaining that the wards have not been reorganized, he also said, B‘Funds in the State Treasury.