Balwant Raj, a labourer, terms financial assistance as boon for labourers in Covid times

Jammu, Jan 28: “Timely financial assistance from the Labour Department not only ended all my woes in the wake of Covid pandemic but it proved to be a boon for me and my family in the times of pain and distress” maintained Balwant Raj, a labourer from R S Pura, who extended gratitude to Jammu and Kashmir government for providing him monetary benefit under the Labour Department’s scheme.

He said that during the Covid-19 lockdown I had no job to feed my family besides bearing their other basic expenditures but then the Labour department came as a blessing for us in the shape of financial assistance which brought my life back on track.

The department also took care of education of my children by providing them scholarship for study as without this much needed support I wouldn’t have been able to educate my wards.

‘Not only me but there are number of labourers in J&K who are availing these benefits from the Labour department under various ongoing schemes which has made their lives easier and comfortable’, asserted Balwant while speaking about the reach of government schemes to the people.

Mentioning about his worst days due to extreme poverty and lack of income ventures, Balwant recalled that how attending a camp, organized by the Labour Department at Phinder village of R S Pura, proved to be a turning point in his life when he came to know regarding various schemes launched by the government for welfare of labour community. He also had words of praise for the officials of the department for guiding him properly in getting the financial assistance within the shortest possible time.

After getting registered myself under Jammu Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Scheme (JKBOCW) I completed all requisite formalities and started receiving regular financial assistance from the department which is such an incredible experience for me, said Balwant.

This is not the story of Balwant only but at present there are a number of labourers who are receiving several benefits including financial assistance from the Labour Department making their lives dignified and live worthy.