Delhi HC questions government on workers' welfare

Email Story Write to the editor Print Story New Delhi, Jan 19: Upset over the delay in implementation of social security schemes for construction workers, the Delhi High Court today asked the government to explain why the benefits under various initiatives had not reached the needy.The court also directed the central and Delhi governments and other departments in the city to furnish the details of workers employed by them and directed them to get the workers registered.The division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued summons to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner, the union government's chief labour commissioner, Delhi government's labour department secretary, besides officials of civic agencies and organisations involved in construction work in the capital.Those issued notices included the Delhi Development Authority, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi Metro, the Delhi International Airport Limited and public works departments.While ordering the government officials to appear before it Feb 9, the court cautioned them against resorting to any excuse for seeking exemption from personal appearances.The court issued summons to officials while hearing a public interest lawsuit filed by a civil society group fighting for the legal rights and benefits of workers under the existing statute. (IANS)