Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a slew of measures, including scholarships and health care benefits, for construction workers engaged in government, semi-government and private sector.

As per the new guidelines, the state building and other construction workers welfare board will provide Rs 10,000 per annum to the children of registered construction workers for pursuing undergraduate courses, Rs 15,000 per annum for post-graduate degree courses and Rs 50,000 per annum for professional courses.

Similarly, financial assistance of Rs one lakh or actual expenses, whichever is less, will be given to the registered workers suffering from chronic diseases like cancer, renal failure, brain hemorrhage or cardiac problems.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of directors of the board chaired by labour minister Abdul Gani Malik here yesterday.

The meeting also approved waiving off the annual fee of Rs 100 charged from the construction workers at the time of initial registration for a period of two years.

Now, a nominal fee of Rs 10 per worker will be charged for one-time registration and there will be no requirement to renew the registration.