AP CM Naidu calls for stricter safety measures in all factories

Amaravati: Observing that safety and welfare of workers is the top priority of the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the State, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed conducting third party safety audit of all factories.

The decision assumed importance following the death of 17 workers at Atchutapuram and three at Rambilli in separate pharma plant accidents sometime ago. He made it clear that the rights of the workers should be protected and asked the industries not to harass under illogical regulations.

Naidu was speaking at a review meeting of the Labour Department during which he directed the officials of the wing not to compromise on the safety and security of workers. The Chief Minister said he is very keen that a third party audit should be conducted with regard to the safety standards of factories. Making it clear that the ESI hospitals will be strengthened, the Chief Minister announced that the State share of funds will be released soon for this purpose.

Naidu regretted that the Chandranna Beema scheme which was in force before 2019 was totally invalidated by the YSRCP government.

Not only the number of beneficiaries has been reduced drastically but also the amount of compensation was reduced unduly, he said. “We will soon launch a scheme with an insurance amount of Rs 10 lakh,” he announced. Safety and security of those who are working for factories is the highest priority of the NDA government, the Chief Minister said.

He made it clear that the managements of factories should move forward with a perfect action plan on the safety of the workforce. The Chief Minister also directed the officials of the Labour Department to take stringent action against the managements if any accident takes place in that company due to negligence.

“Employment generation is possible only if more and more companies are established and the officials should act in the most transparent way in sanctioning permissions for setting up new units,” Naidu told the officials. The officers explained in detail to the Chief Minister the existing factories, the employees and the security measures being adopted by them.

Minister for Labour Vasamsetti Subash informed that the number of employees taking the ESI services has increased from five lakh to 11 lakh during 2014 to 2019, but the number has come down drastically after the YSRCP came to power. Though there are clear guidelines that a senior doctor should be the superintendent of the ESI hospital, the previous government did not honour this, the Minister told Naidu.