No plan to set up Welfare Board for salt workers: Government

Government has no proposal to set up a separate Special Welfare Board for salt workers, Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman said the Centre, through the Salt Commission's Organisation, is conducting a number of activities for the welfare of salt workers.

These include construction of labour rest sheds, organising general medical health-cum-eye camps, training programmes, sports meets, financial assistance and rewards to meritorious children of salt workers.

"There is no proposal to establish a separate Special Welfare Board for salt workers," she said during Question Hour.

Sitharaman said the government through the Salt Commissioner's Organisation has provided financial assistance for the welfare of salt workers in the last three years and in the current year.

"Funds are not allocated directly to the state governments for this purpose," she said.