Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for waiver of the provision to complete 179 working days, at the time of accident, for payment of ex gratia lump sum compensation to casual paid labourers (CPLs) working in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)/General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF).
As per the existing instructions, the CPLs, who have worked at least 179 days in BRO, are covered for payment of ex-gratia lump sum compensation of Rs 5 lakh. Several families of deceased CPLs are deprived of the grant due to this constraint of 179 working days.
The BRO units are located in far-flung/snow-bound/high-altitude areas where no proper public as well as medical facilities are available. Factors namely uncongenial climate, inhospitable hilly terrain, hazardous work sites and occupational health hazards pose enormous risk to life of the CPLs.
Considering the cases of death that occurred/reported during their engagement, the waiver of the condition of minimum 179 working days on humanitarian grounds would be a great reprieve for the families of the CPLs who lose their bread winner while on government duty and will go a long way in securing their livelihoods.
It may be recalled that the defence minister had, recently, approved various welfare measures for the betterment of CPLs, irrespective of the number of days of engagement with the BRO. These include Group (Term) Insurance scheme for CPLs engaged by BRO/GREF for its ongoing project work assuring an insured value of Rs 10 lakh only to family/next of kin in any case of death of CPLs. Preservation and Transportation of mortal remains and Transport Allowance (TA) entitlement of the attendant; enhancement of funeral assistance to Rs 10,000 from Rs 1,000; and advance payment against ex gratia of Rs 50,000 as immediate help in case of death are some of the measures.