Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi Building & Other Construction Welfare Board to file a detailed affidavit stating steps taken in pursuance of courts order in a PIL seeking directions for registration of Construction Workers in the Board so that construction laborers and workers may avail the benefits of the scheme during this lockdown period due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
A division bench presided by Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar of Delhi High Court while conducting hearing through video conferencing noted that the Board should also clearly state its position on affidavit with regard to the provisions of the Act and the Rules keeping in view the stand taken by the petitioner in the rejoinders filed by him.
The bench has passed its order in a PIL filed by Advocate Sunil Kumar Aledia, through which he submits that there are lakhs of such unregistered workers across the state of Delhi. “…in the interest of justice the huge amounts of funds already collected ought to be utilized and the only way to do so is through the registration of all (or the maximum possible number) of construction workers as soon as practical.”
Mr. Sanjay Ghose, Counsel appearing for the Delhi government submitted that in terms of the last order, SMS messages were sent to about 46,000 workers. He points out that about 17,000 applications for renewal have been received between 15.05.2020 and 02.06.2020 – which are under process. According to him, physical verification of each applicant – who applies for renewal, is necessary so that the Competent Authority can form satisfaction with regard to the application being genuine and deserving.
However, The Court has directed to file a detailed affidavit stating the following:
- Steps it has taken in pursuance of our last order in relation to the renewal of registrations and in relation to calling for information from the employers;
- Its position on affidavit with regard to the provisions of the Act and the Rules keeping in view the stand taken by the petitioner in the rejoinders filed by him; and
- Disclose as to what is the status with regard to the construction workers, who have been able to make their applications for renewal and who have also appeared for physical verification.
The Court has further directed to file the affidavit within the next six working days along with a copy of the online form which is required to be filed by the construction workers for the purpose of registration/ renewal of registration.
Read the order here:
66125_2020-India Legal Bureau