The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday accused the Kerala government of inaction and indifference in addressing the acute crisis faced by welfare fund boards in the State.
Of the 31 boards, around 15 were neck-deep in crisis, and at least seven were on the brink of shutdown, impacting the lives of lakhs of workers, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said.
According to the Opposition, pensions and other benefits in the welfare fund boards are in arrears to the tune of ₹2,200 crore, leaving lakhs of workers who are members in utter despair. The UDF members staged a walkout in the Assembly after a motion moved by M. Vincent, MLA, for adjourning the day’s business to discuss the crisis in the boards was turned down.
One crore members
The 31 welfare fund boards have more than one crore workers as members.
Mr. Satheesan questioned the priorities of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government on this matter. He urged the government to streamline ailing welfare fund boards by merging those that had a similar character and cutting down expenses.
Pending for 14 months
“The arrears in the Kerala Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board alone have mounted to ₹1,392 crore. Here, the pensions are in arrears for 14 months. It has been more than 14 months since several benefits, including pensions, marriage benefits, post-death benefits and medical aid, have been disbursed. This board has 20 lakh members,” Mr. Satheesan said.
The arrears in the Kerala Agricultural Workers’ Welfare Fund Board currently stood at ₹493 crore. Maternity benefits and pensions were in arrears in the Kerala Tailoring Workers’ Welfare Fund Board. Three months’ pensions were in arrears in this board. The Kerala Cashew Workers Relief and Welfare Fund Board had run up liabilities to the tune of ₹28 crore.
The State government owed huge sums to Anganwadi workers and khadi and headload workers as well, Mr. Satheesan said.
Published – March 10, 2025 07:22 pm IST