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In this connection, it is further stated that in response to the query raised by Ms. Vandana Prasad in her application/letter dated 22/09/2016, a reply was given vide O/o DGLW letter no. Z-16021/02/2014-BL (pt.) dated 23rd Dec. 2016 stating that "Under the Building and Other Construction Workers; Welfare Cess Act, 1996, a cess @1% of the construction cost is collected by the State Government and given to the respective State Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards mainly for the purpose of welfare of construction workers. Giving maternity benefits is also included in the schemes of State Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards but that data is not centrally maintained in this Office."

(a) to (d): A statement is annexed.
(e): No, Madam.
(f): Does not arise.

6.6 STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2174 FOR 11.03.2013 BY SHRIMATI PARAMJIT KAUR GULSHAN: SHRIMATI MANEKA GANDHI: SHRI DHRUVA NARAYANA: SHRI M. KRISHNASSWAMY REGARDING WELFARE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS:

(a) The Central Government has framed Building and Other Construction Workers (RECS) Central Rules, 1998, constituted Central Advisory Committee, notified appointment of Director General (Inspection) under the Act. The Union Government has been issuing instructions to the States for speedy and proper implementation of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers; Welfare Cess Act, 1996 from time to time at appropriate levels. Instructions were issued under section 60 of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 by the Union Secretary (Labour & Employment) on 27.09.2010. Union Minister of Labour & Employment has also written to the Chief Ministers of the States/UTs in April, 2010 and recently on 5th June, 2012 requesting them to take steps for collecting and utilizing cess and implementing the Acts. Union Secretary (Labour & Employment) has also written to Chief Secretaries of the States/UTs on 29th June, 2012 suggesting, inter-alia, to take steps for accelerating registration of workers, drawing out strategies for implementing model schemes of the Central Government and utilizing welfare funds for vocational training and skill development of the construction workers and their children.
(b) to (d): As per the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, the State Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Board constitutes a fund called Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Fund. The main source of the fund is cess @ 1% of the construction cost collected by State Governments which is transferred to the CIC/MLABE/A/2017/118245 Page 11 Boards as provided in the Building and Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996.

As per the information received from State Governments, the total amount collected as construction cess as on 30.09.2012 is Rs. 7057.29 Crore, out of which Rs. 1009 Crore has been utilised for welfare of construction workers.

The detail about the number of labourers who have been benefitted from the said amount during the last three years and the current year is not maintained at Central level".

7. The officers during the hearing submitted that there is no policy existing pertaining to domestic workers and construction workers maternity benefits. In fact, they further pressed on data not being maintained at Central level since there is no bill has been tabled before either of the Houses in the Parliament or a central policy for the benefit of the construction workers and domestic workers brought out as on date. He also added that the State Welfare Board will be in possession of such details pertaining to the number of construction workers as the Ministry does not receive any report (annually/bi-annually) on this regard.