Rajnath Singh Approves Waiver for Ex-gratia Compensation to Casual Paid Labourers in BRO/GREF

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Feb. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday given his approval to a proposal for waiving the provision requiring completion of 179 working days at the time of an accident for the payment of ex-gratia lump sum compensation to Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) working in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)/General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF).

Under the existing instructions, CPLs who have worked for at least 179 days in BRO are eligible for an ex-gratia lump sum compensation of Rs. five lakh. However, many families of deceased CPLs have been unable to receive this grant due to the constraint of completing 179 working days.

BRO units are situated in remote, snow-bound, and high-altitude areas where proper public and medical facilities are lacking. The challenging climate, inhospitable terrain, hazardous work sites, and occupational health risks pose significant dangers to the lives of CPLs.

Recognizing the deaths that occur during CPLs’ engagements, the waiver of the minimum 179 working days condition on humanitarian grounds will provide substantial relief to CPLs’ families who lose their primary breadwinners while on government duty, ensuring the security of their livelihoods.

It’s worth noting that the Defence Minister had recently approved several welfare measures for CPLs, regardless of the number of days engaged with the BRO.

These measures include a Group (Term) Insurance scheme with an insured value of Rs. 10 lakh for CPLs’ families in case of death, preservation and transportation of mortal remains, enhancement of funeral assistance to Rs. 10,000, and advance payment against ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 50,000 for immediate assistance in case of death, among others.