Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday reiterated that the safety and welfare of workers are the priorities of the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the State. He underscored the importance of protecting workers’ rights while ensuring that unreasonable regulations do not burden industries.
During a review meeting with the Labour Department, the Chief Minister instructed officials to maintain strict standards for the safety and security of workers. He also expressed a strong desire for third-party audits to be conducted to assess factory safety standards.
The Chief Minister announced plans to strengthen ESI hospitals, with the State’s share of funds to be released soon for this purpose. He lamented that the Chandranna Bheema scheme, which was in effect before 2019, had been entirely dismantled by the YSRCP government. Not only was the number of beneficiaries significantly reduced, but the compensation amount was also unjustly lowered, he said. “We will soon launch a scheme offering an insurance amount of Rs 10 lakh,” Chandrababu Naidu declared, reiterating that the safety and security of factory workers are of the highest priority for the NDA Government.
He urged factory management to develop comprehensive action plans to ensure workforce safety. The Chief Minister also directed Labour Department officials to take strict action against any company management found negligent in the event of an accident.
Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the importance of employment generation, stating that it can only be achieved if more companies are established.
He urged officials to act transparently when granting permissions for new industrial units.
During the meeting, officials provided the Chief Minister with a detailed overview of existing factories, their employees, and the safety measures in place.
Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subash informed the Chief Minister that the number of employees utilising ESI services had increased from five lakh to 11 lakh between 2014 and 2019, but had drastically declined after the YSRCP came to power. Despite clear guidelines requiring a senior doctor to serve as the superintendent of ESI hospitals, the previous government failed to comply, the Minister added. He also briefed the Chief Minister on irregularities in the YSR Bheema scheme.
Upon learning of the pending release of Rs 54 crore of the State’s share for ESI hospitals, the Chief Minister ordered the immediate disbursement of the funds. He also directed that the Labour Welfare Board, Minimum Wages Board, and Building and Other Construction Workers Boards be reactivated to ensure that workers have access to necessary services.
The Chief Minister further instructed officials to formulate a scheme to extend insurance coverage not only to industrial workers but also to Employment Guarantee workers, farm labourers, and other vulnerable sections. Chandrababu Naidu affirmed that the accident insurance scheme would be implemented in letter and spirit through DWCRA Groups.
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