Delivering on its promise of safeguarding lives and livelihoods during the pandemic, the UP government recently transferred through direct benefit transfer to each bank account of 23.05 lakh daily wagers. Among the beneficiaries of the monetary allowance are rickshaw pullers, construction workers. This was done as part of its scheme to assist those whose livelihoods were hit during the pandemic. This is not the first instance when the UP government has reached out to the poor and helpless daily wagers and workers, said CM Yogi Adityanath. The state set up a labour commission in 2020, which the government used to ensure welfare of workers. In 2020, when more than 40 lakh daily wagers returned to their home state during the lockdown, UP was the first state to provide free ration to those who didn't have ration cards. Our handling of the migrant crisis is now a subject of research of international organisations, the CM further said. In the last four years, many schemes have been implemented for the poor. The government has launched schemes to organise community marriages for daughters of daily wages and to educate children of labourers, and also provided 2 lakh health insurance cover, the CM added. He encouraged workers to register with the labour department, and further said every worker in the organised or unorganised sector would be given an annual insurance of 5 lakh during registration. In the second wave, the government did not shut down industry or agricultural activity, and Covid help desks and Covid care centres were set up to help workers. In view of the possible third wave of Covid coming and the possibility of it being dangerous for children, preparations have started in UP under the state's pro-active policy. (Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit).
