"Safety, welfare of workers is top priority of NDA government": Chandrababu Naidu

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 29 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday held a review meeting of the Labour Department and directed the officials not to compromise on the safety and security of workers.
"Safety and welfare of workers is the top priority of the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in the state. The rights of the workers should be protected and the industries should not be harassed under illogical regulations," the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said the state share of funds will be released soon to strengthen ESI hospitals. Chandrababu regretted that the Chandranna Bheema scheme which was in force before 2019 was invalidated by the YSRCP government.
"We will soon launch a scheme with an insurance amount of Rs 10 lakh, "Chandrababu said.
Chandrababu made it clear that the management of factories should move forward with a perfect action plan for the safety of the workforce. The Chief Minister also directed the officials of the Labour Department to take stringent action against the management if any accident takes place in that company due to negligence.
"Employment generation is possible only if more and more companies are established and the officials should act most transparently in sanctioning permissions for setting up new units," Chandrababu told the officials.
The Minister for Labour, Vasamsetti Subash, informed Chandrababu that the number of employees taking the ESI services has increased from five lakh to 11 lakh between 2014-19 but the number has come down drastically after the YSRCP came to power.
Vasamsetti also informed Chandrababu about the irregularities that took place in the YSR Bheema scheme.
When the officers informed Chandrababu about the pending amount of the State's share of Rs 54 crore worth to the ESI hospitals, the Chief Minister ordered for immediate release of the pending amount.
The Chief Minister said that the officials have been directed to formulate a scheme so that the insurance facility will be made available not only to the workforce but also to employment Guarantee workers, farm labour and other sections. (ANI)