Ranchi: The Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojana launched by Chief Minister Hemant Soren to aid the unskilled workers residing in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a boon for the unskilled workers.
The section of population which is poor and labourers residing in 50 municipal bodies of the state is getting its benefits. The Chief Minister was witnessing the lack of employment opportunities during the COVID period. For the daily wage labourers, this period has been terrifying. Lakhs of migrant workers had to return to their homes. In such a situation, the Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojana was launched on 14 August 2020, for the poor labourers residing in 50 municipal bodies of the state.
Through this scheme, a target has been set to benefit about 31 percent of the urban population who are living below the poverty line, as a result of which 63,493 job cards have been issued so far in 50 municipal bodies and 12,66,744 man-days have been allocated in the last two and a half years. The job card holders were allotted a maximum of 100 working days of work. The payment of wages to the workers registered under this scheme is payable as per the government rate.
Many schemes for urban development are being run by the state government. For example, schemes related to the construction of buildings construction of roads cleanliness, sanitation etc, the implementation of which requires unskilled workers. For the expansion of green spaces in urban areas, workers are also needed to maintain the parks, and upkeep of trees and plants in the urban areas. Along with this, these labourers are also employed in the maintenance of various institutions and public places.
Under this scheme, it has been made mandatory for the labourers to be provided with drinking water, first aid box, various facilities if the working labourer has children below the age of five at the workplace and to employ a woman labourer. In this way, this scheme not only caters to the employment of labourers but also provides them with the necessary facilities in the workplace.
Under this scheme, a consolidated annual plan has been prepared to provide 100 days of work to the unskilled labourers registered in the ward-wise schemes in all the municipal bodies with the help of implementing agencies of the government. It also provides that if a registered worker who has sought work does not get the employment sanction within fifteen days, he will be entitled to an unemployment allowance. This allowance will be equal to one-fourth of the minimum wage in the first month, half of the minimum wage in the second month and equivalent to the minimum wage from the third month.
For this, it is necessary that the worker must have got his registration done. Also, those rural labourers who come to the city to earn wages and who do not have MGNREGA job cards can also avail of benefits under this scheme. To provide food security, increase nutrition opportunities and improve the lives of poor families. To create cleanliness, hygiene and a clean environment in the urban areas. For the expansion of green spaces in the urban areas.
To guarantee timely completion of various schemes operating in the urban areas. To ensure better maintenance of various institutions and public places. If there is an urban unskilled labourer, whose age is 18 years or more, then under the Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojna, he will get a free job card, a guarantee of employment for a maximum of 100 days in a financial year and employment within 15 days of demand of work in his local area. Those rural workers who come to the city for wages and who do not have MNREGA job cards can also take advantage of this scheme.
The free job card can be obtained by Pragya Kendra, SWAYAM through an online portal by applying in writing to CRP Didi or at the civic office. Interested workers should contact the nearest municipal body for a job card. Copy of two passport photos, Aadhar card, bank passbook and ration card is required for the application.