Why can’t you act against contractors,HC asks govt

According to the petitioner,only a “pretense” was being made by the authorities to register the workers as the passbooks were already filled up with the details of those who were nowhere to be found. “It was being made to inflate the numbers of workers having been registered and passbooks being prepared while benefits were far from their reach,” the counsel contended,adding that thousands of workers’ applications relating to scholarship for their children,loans and other benefits were also pending.

The Bench was also apprised that there was no mechanism to verify if the passbooks given to the contractors had actually been distributed to the workers.

Subsequently,the counsel for the Central and Delhi governments,MCD,NDMC,DMRC and DIAL were asked if they were doing their bit to ensure safety and wellbeing of the workers. Each agency spoke for itself and refused to own up saying they were accountable only for the sites under their control.

“Instead of blaming each other,you must try to find ways to solve the problem. All the agencies should work with each other to ensure that workers get their entitlements and contractors must be told that if they violated the labour laws,the tentacles of law will catch them,” said the Bench.

The court also told all agencies to specifically warn their contractors against flouting rules,especially those pertaining to providing safety gear to the workers. The matter has been listed for September 1.

Court action
Advocate Atul Nanda appointed as amicus curiae to go with the Delhi Legal Services Authority and the Welfare Board as they hold awareness camps and register workers.

Camps to be held thrice a week to register as many workers as possible.

Photographers,notaries to be made available on these spots to facilitate registration.

Pending applications to be disposed of as early as possible.

Police Commissioner to provide adequate security to the board members visiting the sites.