Construction workers hit by GRAP restrictions to get compensation, says Mishra

Labour and Employment Minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday announced a one-time compensation of ₹10,000 for registered construction workers who lost income due to the suspension of construction activities under Stages 3 and 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Centre invoked the heightened restrictions to curb air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region.

“During the GRAP-III and IV period, construction work was halted across Delhi, which directly impacted the livelihood of daily-wage workers. The government has decided to provide them financial assistance to help them cope with this loss,” Mr. Mishra said, addressing a press conference.

He explained that the relief would be extended through the ongoing registration and verification process for construction workers. “The process has two stages – registration and verification – and both are being carried out simultaneously with full seriousness. Once verification is complete, ₹10,000 assistance will be transferred directly to workers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer,” a release stated.

The data from the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board shows that there are currently 2,57,244 registered construction workers in the city.

Workplace guidelines

Mr. Mishra also reiterated workplace guidelines in line with directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management and the Environment Department.

“All government and private offices in Delhi must restrict physical attendance to 50%, with the remaining employees working from home,” he said. However, he clarified that essential services such as hospitals, fire services, public transport, electricity, pollution control departments, the Forest Department and the Delhi Jal Board would be exempt.

Appealing for cooperation, he urged offices to adopt flexible working hours, encourage carpooling and reduce the use of private vehicles, warning that violations would attract penalties under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

While criticising the previous Aam Aadmi Party government, Mr. Mishra said Delhi’s pollution crisis was the result of “13 years of negligence”, adding that the Delhi government is working round the clock to address the issue. “Pollution control takes time, but we are moving forward in a planned and systematic way,” he said.