By Our Correspondent in Bhubaneswar, February 21, 2015  :

The Odisha government on Saturday announced a special package for construction workers in the state.

The government launched ‘Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana’ to provide shelter to the construction workers.

“Construction workers having registration for a minimum period of five years will be eligible to get one lakh rupees as housing grant under the scheme. Besides, the workers will be eligible to get a monthly pension of Rs 500 on attaining the age of 60 years,” chief minister Naveen Patnaik declared in the Assembly.

He informed that the migrant construction workers not registered under the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will be covered by Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia in case of accidental death during their employment.

“They would also get assistance up to Rs 50,000 to meet treatment cost in case of grievous work related injuries outside the state,” said the chief minister.

The benefits will be met by the Welfare Board.

Patnaik said the state government was fully committed to the welfare of the weaker and the marginalised sections of the society, especially the construction workers working in and outside Odisha.

The chief minister also inaugurated a “State Level Nirmal Shramik Seva Samaraho-2015″ on Saturday here by lighting the lamp.