Construction workers who are registered with the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will soon be eligible for a pension, as the labour department has proposed a standard operating procedure to the government.
The scheme will be initiated once the SOP for its implementation receives government approval,” stated an official. Officials indicated that individuals aged 60 and above are expected to receive an annual pension of Rs12,000, representing a significant advancement in social security.
The labour department has made it clear that the pension scheme will be executed solely through the board, without imposing any additional financial burden on the state government. The funds will be allocated from the board’s own resources.
At present, there are 3.7 million registered workers in the state, while an additional 1.6 million have yet to renew their registrations. The labour department has not yet ascertained the number of registered workers who have reached the age of 60. The Government Resolution (GR) specifies the eligibility criteria and application processes for accessing pension benefits.
If both husband and wife are registered workers, they are entitled to receive separate pension benefits. The scheme also ensures that surviving spouses continue to receive pension benefits following the death of a construction worker, although it is made clear that double benefits will not be permitted if one spouse is already receiving a pension.
Furthermore, workers who are beneficiaries under the Employees State Insurance Act of 1948 and the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952 will not qualify for this scheme, in accordance with Central government guidelines.
Upon approval by the secretary and chief executive officer at the board level, successful applicants will receive a “pension number certificate,” with the issuance date recognized as the official commencement date for the pension. The entire process will be overseen by the integrated welfare board computer system, which will facilitate transparent and efficient disbursement.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandates that pensioners provide annual proof of existence to ensure the continued crediting of funds to their accounts, with arrangements made for changes in bank accounts and heir registration in the event of a pensioner’s death.
Individuals aged between 18 and 60 years who have worked for a minimum of 90 days in the preceding year are eligible to register with the board, with annual renewal being compulsory. However, those over 60 years of age are currently ineligible for renewal, leaving them without access to board benefits until the implementation of this pension scheme.
