Bill amends 1996 laws, removes age limit for construction workers

This Bill amends two existing laws from 1996 to fix implementation issues and update rules for building and construction workers. It aims to clarify who is covered by the laws, how worker registration works, and how welfare funds are managed and enforced.

Building and other construction workers, employers (including contractors and individuals), State and Central Governments, and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards.

• Allows the Central Government to set the maximum cost of construction for an 'establishment' via notification, replacing the fixed limit of ten lakhs rupees.
• Removes the age limit of 60 years and the requirement of 90 days of work in the preceding 12 months for a worker to be eligible for registration as a beneficiary.
• Creates a temporary Board consisting of specific government secretaries (Labour, Finance, Planning, Social Welfare) to function for up to one year until a permanent Board is constituted.
• Allows the Central Government to notify the percentage of total expenses that Welfare Boards can spend on administrative costs, replacing the fixed 5% limit.
• Permits the appointment of up to ten Director-Generals of Inspection for specified areas instead of a single Director-General responsible for all of India.
• Requires local authorities or State Governments to pay collected cess proceeds to the Board within 30 days.
• Allows State Governments, in addition to the Central Government, to file complaints in court for offences under the Welfare Cess Act.

Written from the document by AI, and checked against it. The original below is authoritative.

The original document