SHILLONG, MAY 1: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday announced the launch of the CM-LIGHT scheme and transferred ₹5,000 each to more than 11,000 registered construction workers, drawing from the ₹400 crore collected as labour cess, while stating that ₹29,000 crore worth of infrastructure projects have directly created 20,000 new jobs in Meghalaya.

Addressing at the celebration of the International Workers’ Day organized by the Office of the Labouer Commissioner, Meghalaya Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the Chief Minister linked the state’s economic growth to worker welfare and job creation.

“Today Meghalaya is the second fastest growing economy in the country. In the North East, we are definitely the fastest growing economy,” Sangma said.

“Not only we are being the fastest growing but more importantly we are consistently growing, it is not just a one time or one year event, consistently we have been maintain the growth rate of 10%.”

He said the growth was visible on the ground.

“With this 10% of growth rate, we have about 29,000 crores worth of projects in infrastructures taking place as we speak,” he said, adding that there are “5000 such projects worth Rs 29,000 crores.”

“These 29,000 crores of projects being implemented have converted directly into 20,000 new jobs that have been created for the common people,” the Chief Minister stated.

He also pointed to the state’s wage policy. “Meghalaya today has one of the highest, in fact we are third highest in the country and the highest in the North East in terms of the rate for unskilled labour,” he said.

“Other states in the North East are giving approximately Rs 400 per day, Meghalaya is giving Rs 525 per day for unskilled labour, which is the highest in the North East and the highest in the country is Rs 581 which is Karnataka and second highest is Goa at Rs 535 and Meghalaya today is at number three.”

“Even though economically we are much smaller than these states, our policy decision to ensure that we have the highest unskilled labour rates of Rs 525… ensures that with the economic growth and implementation of Rs 29,000 crores of projects not only does the infrastructure grow but our labourers and our workers directly benefit from this,” he added.

“There is a reason why we did it because we want to ensure that this economic growth translates into jobs. So, 20,000 new jobs have been created and two is all these labourers and workers get one of the highest rates in terms of their wages,” Sangma said.

Announcing the new scheme, the Chief Minister said, “We are introducing a new programme called CM-LIGHT (Chief Minister’s Labour Income Grant and Health Transformation), we will be giving Rs 5000 to each one of you totalling about 11000 plus workers throughout the state will be receiving this benefit and this direct benefit transfer today itself.”

“So, Rs 5000 will be transferred to your account today itself and this comes from that one percent cess collected from the infrastructure projects worth beyond Rs 10 lakh as one percent is paid for labour cess. This money is then given back to our labours,” he said.

Explaining the funding, Sangma said, “As per the central laws and acts, one percent is always taken as labour cess. Just to share with all of you that amount collected today touches almost Rs 400 crores in terms of the labour cess that is available at the disposal of the labour department and this is happening because of the economic growth.”

He listed existing benefits for registered workers.
“Financial assistance for education from Rs 1500 upto Rs 14,300, financial assistance for marriage that is given upto Rs 8000, maternity benefits upto Rs 10,000, family and welfare pension of upto 50% of pension and Rs 1500 per month once they are retired, funeral assistance of upto Rs 5000, medical assistance upto Rs 10,000.”

“Apart from this, there is Rs 2 lakh life insurance coverage, Rs 2 lakh accident coverage,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced support for schools through the cess fund.

“Now there are schools who will be receiving different benefits in terms of construction work. We have 12 schools that we are supporting throughout the state and these schools will get funds for infrastructure development, it is about Rs 50 lakh per school will be given from this amount,” he said.

Stating that the assistance comes with a condition, he said, “Five percent of the admission done in these schools will be families of our workers and these children will get education for free, you cannot take tuition fees from them.”

“This is how we are helping the school building up its infrastructure and at the same time we are also helping our labourers, our workers and their families get quality education without having the pressure and headache of paying the fees,” Sangma said.

Defending the government’s development agenda, the Chief Minister said, “Lots of people may say what will all of this economic growth do, there may lots of negativity around questioning the agenda of the government but what I am going to share with you today is while taking our state forward in terms of economic growth and infrastructure development, we are ensuring that no one is left behind, we are ensuring every single person gets benefited and is part of the process of growth.”

“Therefore, this is a very apt day to thank all of you for all the contributions that you are making to the state, it is because of you that our state is moving forward,” he told the workers.

“The hard work and sacrifices that each one of you puts in is the reason why our state is moving forward and we are here to recognize that… it is not just words but also in action that we are showing our gratitude.”

He urged wider registration of workers to avail benefits. “I would sincerely urge the labour department today that we must create a large awareness programme of this scheme. Our workers and labourers must know the benefit of this,” he said.

“I remember during Covid times in 2019, we desire at that point in time also to register labourers… but you will be surprise to know that majority of our local labourers were not registered and even today, majority of our local labourers are not registered,” Sangma noted.