A joint coordination committee representing construction laborers across Karnataka is calling on the state government to immediately revoke certain tenders. These contracts, they assert, were improperly granted to private organizations, including a number of NGOs.
During a press conference held in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Prabhudev Yelsanghi, the district president of the Coordination Committee, along with Shankar Kattisanghavi, a former member of the Construction Workers Welfare Board (Kalaburagi Division), made a strong appeal. They pressed the state government to cancel tenders for crucial skill development and training programs aimed at both organized and unorganized workers, specifically those awarded to non-governmental organizations.
The union leaders highlighted concerns that these significant tenders, meant for vital skill development and other worker welfare schemes, have allegedly been funneled to NGOs closely connected with Labour Minister Santosh Lad. Furthermore, they pointed out serious irregularities, claiming that one such company, tasked with providing skill development and bridge training, conducted only a brief three-hour session yet issued certificates falsely representing ten days of training.
Beyond the tender controversy, Mr. Yelsanghi also put forth a set of crucial demands. These included a significant increase in scholarships for the children of construction workers and a call for ₹5 lakh in financial aid for registered construction workers to help them build their homes.
Further expanding their charter, the committee demanded a compensation of ₹10 lakh for families of construction workers who suffer accidental deaths. They also advocated for the urgent implementation of Employee State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF) schemes, extending these essential social security benefits to all construction and unorganized manual laborers.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kattisanghavi confirmed that members of the Coordination Committee plan to meet Minister Lad in Kalaburagi this Tuesday. This meeting, scheduled during the Minister’s visit to inaugurate new homes for construction workers, will serve as an opportunity for the committee to formally submit their comprehensive memorandum of demands.