CESS Act 1996 implemented in Sikkim


Gangtok, June 10: The Labour Department of Sikkim today implemented ‘The Building and Other Construction Worker’s Welfare CESS Act 1996’ in the state.

The seminar was held here at Janata Bhavan where the announcement of implementation of the act was made. The Supreme Court of India made a hearing on 18th of January of this year making it mandatory for all the states to implement this CESS Act and in response to which the state government too has to obey the direction.

Speaking at the seminar, PW Rinzing Addl. Secretary of Labour Department said that there have been protests from all over the state as well as the nation owing to demands for fulfilling the basic requirement of the labour. So the implementation of this act will certainly fulfill those grievances for it guarantees the medical and various necessary aid of the labourers.

Also addressing at the seminar Bishan Rai, Joint Labour Commissioner Labour Department said that the structure of this act for the state has been copied from the very Act of West Bengal and Tripura. He further said that henceforth all the building and construction project as well as the existing buildings and projects whose valuation exceeds 10 lakhs within the state has to be registered under labour board before the commencement of the project. He also said that the board will claim some amount of the total expenditure cost of the project from the legal owner and will deposit it in labour welfare fund which will be used for the betterment of the labour whenever required.

Today our advisory board is formed and hence we will be holding meetings in every two months, he further informed.

However Binod Rai, chairman Labour Welfare Board, Labour Department expressed of carrying few amendments works in the existing act. He also expressed the importance of debating this CESS Act with the other concerned departments for ruling out every single grievance.

But it is noteworthy that RB Subba Minister Labour Department on his chief guest speech warned all the absent delegates of sending notice from henceforth if the practice is not stopped. The absent delegates have shown the sign of irresponsibility and it is intolerable, he said.

However talking on the issue of the CESS Act he said that the Act is only meant to safeguard the rights of the labourers who are of immense importance. He further expected the feedbacks from the people of the state and too laid the importance of carrying necessary amendments on the existing Act.

It is to be noted that if any one trespasses this act or avoid it he will be penalized of fine as well as jail term. However government notification on percentage or fixed amount of levy/charges has not been produced today.

source: Haalkhabar