Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Nellore Parliamentary General Secretary Chejerla Venkateswara Reddy alleged that the previous YSRCP government had discontinued welfare schemes meant for construction workers and diverted their funds, causing hardship to thousands of beneficiaries.
Addressing a press conference held at the TDP district office in Nellore city, he said that the welfare board for building and construction workers was originally established during the tenure of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the united Andhra Pradesh.
He narrated that under this system, a 1% cess was collected from building owners undertaking construction works costing more than Rs 5 lakh, and the funds were utilized to implement welfare schemes for workers.
The TDP leader noted that subsequent governments, including the Congress and later the TDP after state bifurcation, continued these schemes.
He alleged that after coming to power in 2019, the YSRCP government halted these welfare schemes and diverted nearly Rs 450 crore from the construction workers' welfare board. As a result, thousands of workers lost access to benefits such as financial assistance for natural death, maternity support, and aid for children's marriages. Reddy stated that recognizing the difficulties faced by workers, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu issued orders on March 1, 2026, to restore the welfare schemes for construction workers.
Under the revived scheme, registered members will receive Rs 60,000 as financial assistance in case of natural death, along with Rs 20,000 towards funeral expenses.
Women workers are eligible for Rs 20,000 as maternity assistance for up to two deliveries.
He detailed that additionally, Rs 20,000 will be provided for the marriage of unmarried women workers and for the marriage of daughters of registered workers, with benefits applicable for up to two daughters per family.
He further explained that existing members can renew their membership by paying Rs 60, while new applicants can enroll by paying Rs 100.
He said that those registered with the construction workers Welfare Board will be eligible for these benefits. The TDP leader has appealed the construction workers can enroll or renew their membership through Digital Assistants at their nearest village or ward secretariats. Reddy urged all eligible construction workers to take advantage of the reinstated welfare schemes and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for reviving them.