Shillong, May 1 : The Government of Meghalaya marked International Workers’ Day with the launch of several key welfare schemes and a digital platform aimed at strengthening social security and empowering the state’s workforce.
The programme, held at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, was led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and organised by the Meghalaya Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board under the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
During the event, the government rolled out major initiatives including CM LIGHT, BUILD, ENABLE, and the Startup Toolkit Support Scheme, all designed to enhance financial support, infrastructure, education, and livelihood opportunities for workers.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya continues to maintain strong economic growth, with over 5,000 infrastructure projects worth ₹29,000 crore currently underway, generating around 20,000 jobs. He emphasised that the state’s growth model is inclusive and focused on ensuring benefits reach the working class.
Under the CM LIGHT scheme, over 11,700 beneficiaries received direct financial assistance of ₹5,000 each, with a total disbursement exceeding ₹5.86 crore. The Chief Minister also highlighted that Meghalaya offers one of the highest wages for unskilled labourers in the country.
Labour Minister Methodius Dkhar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to worker welfare, noting that ₹7.5 crore has been allocated under the ENABLE scheme for school development and benefits for workers’ children, while ₹6 crore has been earmarked under the BUILD scheme for community infrastructure.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the E-Labour Connect Mobile App, aimed at providing seamless access to government schemes and ensuring direct benefit transfers to workers.
The government also announced that it will bear the premium costs for workers registered under the welfare board for key social security schemes, including PM-SYM, PMJJBY, and PMSBY, significantly strengthening financial protection for labourers.
Additionally, the Startup Toolkit Scheme will provide essential tools worth ₹8,000 each to over 6,600 trained workers to boost self-employment opportunities.
Officials stated that the initiatives reflect Meghalaya’s commitment to leveraging technology, improving governance, and ensuring transparent and targeted delivery of benefits to the workforce.
The programme also witnessed the distribution of cheques, sanction letters, and toolkits to beneficiaries, marking a major step towards building a more secure and empowered labour force in the state.
