It is leading to retrenchment, lay-offs and wage cuts in various industries sectors of our economy. A sample study of certain sectors conducted by the Labour Bureau indicates that 5 lakh workers have lost their jobs during October-December, 2008. Government has taken several measures to instill confidence in the economy, spur growth and promote employment. The stimulus package relates to RBI measures to enhance liquidity in the market and an economic package by the Government of India, mainly comprising additional spending, reduction in interest rates and excise duty cuts. These measures are expected to prevent large scale job losses. In the organized sector, the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana being implemented by the Employees State Insurance Corporation with effect from provides a social safety net. Under this scheme, employees who lose their employment due to retrenchment closure of factories establishments or permanent disability due to non employment injury after being insured for five or more years, are entitled to unemployment allowance, in cash equal to 50 per cent of their wage up to six months during his her entire service. The allowance can be availed in one spell or in different spells of more than one month. In addition, the worker and his family members are also entitled to medical care from ESI hospitals, dispensaires and panel clinics. Hon. Members will be happy to know that the period of availing unemployment allowance has now been enhanced to one year. Social security cover for unorganized sector is the most important policy strategy for protecting the poor. In the recent past our Government has taken several initiatives. Aam Admi Bima Yojana to provide life cum disability cover to rural landless households has already been launched. Honourable Members, the West Bengal Assembly has some unique records to its credit. Three of its members Khawja Nazimuddin, Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy and Mohammad Ali of Bogra went on the become Prime Ministers of Pakistan. Similarly, Shri Jyoti Basu who served 22 months as Deputy Chief Ministers and 23 years as Chief Minister is the longest serving Chief Minister in the country. (Incidentally, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister for 17 years and Shri Karunanidhi, who has been a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly/Council for 50 years was Chief Minister for 19 years). This beautiful complex was built during 1928-30 and the Bengal Legislative Council began to hold sittings here from February9, 1931. Its mute walls are witness to innumerable historic events. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations mark 75 years since the first election to the Bengal Legislative Assembly in January 1937. Honourable Members, the history of West bengal Legislative Assembly is intrinsically linked with the evolution of constitutional developments in India. Kolkota has been the nursery of legislative practice and representative democracy in our country. These have occurred on two distinct stands-the Central legislature whose headquarters was Kolkata till the shifting of the capital to Delhi.

