J&K govt launches scheme to bring construction workers under social security net

On the second death anniversary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu & Kashmir government has allocated a budget to bring 3 lakh construction workers of the unorganized sector under the social security net.

The scheme, titled Muhafiz, provides accident and disability insurance cover for the workers, education scholarships for their children, and offers a special micro credit card and online registration portal.

“Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is scheduled to launch a major welfare initiative at a function on Monday,” said an official spokesman.

This is in addition to the several developmental and welfare projects kick started by the government on Sunday to mark the second death anniversary of Mufti Mohommad Sayeed. Mufti died after brief illness on January 7 at AIIMS in 2016.

The projects include a mini secretariat which will be built at the cost of Rs 100 crore at Batamaloo Srinagar.

The much-awaited Positron Emission Tomography (PET) facility was also thrown open at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here. Installed at the cost of Rs. 13.86 crore, the facility has been added to the hospital for which the patients had to go outside the State.

Meanwhile, British-Indian politician Lord Meghnad Desai will be delivering …read more