Unspent Billions: Gujarat's Construction Workers Welfare Cess Dilemma
AI-Generated Summary
The Gujarat government has collected over Rs 4,700 crore in welfare cess from developers over 16 years, but only Rs 808 crore has been utilized for construction workers' welfare. A CAG audit report highlighted this significant unspent amount, attributing it to the lack of a fully constituted welfare board and fund. This oversight has prevented benefits from reaching the intended beneficiaries, as mandated by the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act of 1996.
In a nutshell
This situation underscores a significant governance lapse in Gujarat, where substantial funds intended for construction workers' welfare remain unspent due to administrative deficiencies. It highlights the urgent need for the government to fully constitute the welfare board and streamline processes to ensure benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Source: Devdiscourse
