The Ministry of Commerce & industry, through Salt Commissioner’s Organization (SCO), grants financial assistance to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, salt industry and manufacturers in conducting welfare activities for salt workers like construction of labour rest sheds, crèches and community centres; organizing general medical health-cum-eye camps and sports meets; supplying of bicycles and safety kits;  supplementing facilities in the hospitals for the benefit of salt workers like providing ambulance; capacity building for transporting and storage of potable water, laying pipelines for supply of drinking water and granting scholarships to the meritorious children of the salt workers studying in class-VI to class-XII.  The Central Government had also sanctioned and implemented a plan scheme named Namak Mazdoor Awas Yojana for construction of 5000 houses for salt workers in various salt producing States. 

There is no specific State-wise allocation of funds in this regard.  The financial support for execution of welfare works for salt workers is extended on receipt of proposals from the concerned State Governments/Salt Manufacturers.  The State-wise expenditure (Non-Plan) incurred during the last three years on labour welfare works is as follows:

(in Rs.)

The expenditure for the coming three years would depend on the proposals received from the beneficiaries.

The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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DS