NCP demands policy for compensation to EGS workers

MUMBAI: NCP today demanded that the Maharashtra government should frame a policy for compensating labourers who meet with accidents or death while working under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS).

"The provisions of the Workmen Compensation Act are not applicable for EGS workers. These labourers are working in government schemes and can face hazards like accidents and even deaths. There is no compensation for them," NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said.

According to Malik, the government can also consider an insurance cover for the EGS labourers.

He said he had written to the EGS minister Nitin Raut to consider the demands.

Malik also plans to bring a private member's bill in the Budget Session of the state legislature, if the government does not take a decision on the issue of compensation or insurance cover.

Compensation or insurance cover will help improve availability of labour force in EGS works in the drought-hit areas of the state, he said.

The NCP spokesman said the government can amend the state EGS Act and make similar recommendation to the Centre for making necessary changes in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.