Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has placed labour welfare and industrial safety at the centre of Andhra Pradesh’s governance agenda, with the government unveiling a series of reforms over the past two years aimed at restoring dignity and social security to workers.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (Image:DC)
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has placed labour welfare and industrial safety at the centre of Andhra Pradesh’s governance agenda, with the government unveiling a series of reforms over the past two years aimed at restoring dignity and social security to workers.
The government’s efforts spanned both organised and unorganised sectors of the labour force.
Projecting labourers not merely as beneficiaries but as partners in the state’s reconstruction, the chief minister initiated measures ranging from integrated labour centres and skill training to enhanced welfare assistance, factory safety reforms and modernisation of ESI healthcare services.
One of the flagship initiatives introduced under the leadership of the CM was the establishment of modern Labour Addas or Integrated Labour Amenities Centres in urban centres like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram, Guntur and Nellore, besides district headquarters across the state.
These centres are being designed to provide daily wage workers with access to clean drinking water, waiting halls, restrooms and employment-related information under one roof.
“The government also plans to utilise idle hours for upskilling workers through structured training programmes so that traditional labour skills can be integrated with modern technology and industry requirements,” officials noted.
Officials said the government has simultaneously revived several welfare schemes that had remained stalled in recent years. Andhra Pradesh currently has over 88 lakh registered unorganised workers, including more than 18 lakh construction workers.
Under the renewed welfare framework, registered worker families are now receiving maternity assistance of Rs 20,000 and marriage assistance of Rs 40,000.
Financial support of Rs 20,000 is also being provided in cases of accidental or natural death, while Rs 60,000 is being extended towards funeral expenses. Free medical check-ups are also being conducted for workers.
The state government is additionally preparing proposals for the appointment of specialised chemical inspectors to monitor hazardous industries. Agreements have been signed with premier institutions including JNTU and SVU for industrial safety collaborations, while third-party safety audits have been completed in 360 industries along with several mock drills.
Labour minister Vasamsetti Subhash said the government has also launched extensive reforms in Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) healthcare services to benefit nearly 15 lakh insured workers and their families.
He explained, “A new ESI hospital building has been initiated at Achyutapuram, while the bed strength at Tirupati ESI Hospital has been increased to 100. Land has also been earmarked for new hospitals in Guntur, Kurnool, Sri City and Nellore.”
“In a significant development, approval has been secured for a 50-seat ESIC Medical College in Visakhapatnam. Proposals are also under consideration for a 500-bed super-speciality hospital and medical college in Amaravati,” he highlighted.
Subhash said the pending procurement of surgical equipment worth Rs 78 lakh, delayed for nearly five years, has now been revived.
Subhash said the pending procurement of surgical equipment worth Rs 78 lakh, delayed for nearly five years, has now been revived.
The government has also introduced digital platforms such as “My Health” and “e-Aushadhi” to ensure transparency in medicine distribution and healthcare delivery, the minister added.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story