Chamarajanagar, Karnataka – Karnataka’s Labor Minister Santosh Lad has appealed to the state government to increase the cess on petrol and diesel by 50 paise to ₹1 per liter, with the goal of using the additional revenue for labor welfare schemes.
Speaking at an awareness and smart card distribution event for unorganized workers in Mysuru district, organized in collaboration with the Labor Department, Karnataka State Unorganized Workers Social Security Board, Transport Department, District Administration, and Zilla Panchayat, Lad emphasized the need for social security and financial support for workers in the unorganized sector.
“Over 90% of the country’s workforce is in the unorganized sector, and in Karnataka, it’s around 83%. We need thousands of crores to provide adequate facilities and security. Increasing the cess on fuel is a viable way to generate this revenue,” Lad said.
Key Highlights from the Minister’s Address:
- Smart Cards are being issued to over 2.5 million transport workers.
- In case of accidental death, families will receive ₹5 lakh compensation.
- A new law is being drafted to ensure minimum wages for domestic workers.
- A dedicated society is being formed to protect the rights of contract workers in both government and private sectors.
- Lad also criticized the central government for waiving ₹15 lakh crore in industrial loans and praised the Shakti scheme for its impact.
- He urged citizens to trust CM Siddaramaiah’s leadership, especially in continuing guarantee schemes despite opposition.
