Sikkim: Govt gives Rs 10, 000 to over 8000 labourers as distress relief

The Sikkim Government today gave a one-time financial grant of Rs 10,000 each to over 8700 labourers who have been hit by the recent floods.

8733 construction workers were provided this assistance by the Labour Department following directives of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

Sikkim Labour department minister Loknath Sharma speaking to Northeast Live said, “As per rules of the Labour Department, we are giving Rs 10000 per head as distress relief to 8700 + labourers. The Sikkim floods washed away roads, bridges, villages and this created lot of difficulties. So our labourers had to face tough time since there was no food, no money since there was no work. Roads were cut off. Taking these things into consideration, and suggestions of CM PS Tamang, our labour department has decided to give Rs 10,000 as distress relief.”

“6 districts will be covered. This programme is for Mangan and Gangtok district. We will be conducting special awareness drives among the labourers to let them know about their rights as well as facilities entitled to them under different government schemes,” minister Sharma added.

The Sikkim Labour department minister also informed that the government is making every effort to rescue labourers who are stranded following the glacial lake outburst triggered floods.

Minister Loknath Sharma said, “We have rescued many labourers during the disaster and facilitated their return till Siliguri. Our officers are coordinating with the evacuation process of labourers stranded due to the floods.”