Chandigarh — The Punjab Labour Department has introduced significant relaxations in eligibility requirements for various welfare schemes, aiming to make them more accessible to workers across the state. Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced the changes on Wednesday, highlighting that the revisions will directly benefit thousands of beneficiaries, particularly those in the construction sector.
Under the Shagun Scheme of the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board, the earlier requirement of a marriage certificate issued by a Tehsildar has been removed. Instead, couples can now present a certificate from the religious institution where the marriage took place, along with self-declarations from both families. The scheme provides ₹51,000 in financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries. Labourers will also be able to access this benefit by submitting photographs of the religious ceremony and the individuals who officiated it, replacing the previous demand for a registered marriage certificate.
Maternity benefits have also been made easier to claim. Female construction workers can receive ₹21,000, and male workers ₹5,000, by simply submitting the child’s birth certificate. The earlier requirement of providing the child’s Aadhaar card has been eliminated, reducing delays and paperwork.
The department has also removed the two-year service requirement under the Stipend Scheme for the children of registered labourers. Workers will now be eligible for stipend benefits from the day they start making contributions to the welfare fund.
Sond further urged MNREGA workers who have completed more than 90 days of work to register with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board to access a broader range of benefits. To support awareness, a ₹1 crore budget was allocated during the 55th meeting of the Punjab Labour Welfare Board in February 2025 for promoting welfare schemes across the state.
Officials say these changes aim to remove bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring that workers—often the most vulnerable segment of the workforce—can access the financial assistance they are entitled to without unnecessary delays. The government hopes that easing documentation requirements will encourage more registrations and greater participation in welfare initiatives.
