`Declare construction sector as an industry'
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"The Government declared many packages for the agriculture sector but it refused to see the contributions of the construction sector in absorbing the shocks in the agriculture sector, particularly on the employment front, by not making the construction sector an industry."
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The stakeholders in the construction sector - the construction companies, engineers, trade unions and others - have demanded that the Government recognise the fast-growing construction sector as an industry for its overall growth and development.
They said that it was all the more important when the Central Government had allowed 100 per cent foreign investment in the construction and other infrastructure development sectors in the country.
If the sector was given the status of an industry, the Government could help it with tax concessions, liberal institutional financial assistance etc., for it to grow as a major industry that was already employing more than 15 crore of people in the country.
Generating jobs
R.K. Mani Sankar, founder general secretary of Licensed Engineers Federation, said that when the agriculture-dominated district of Palakkad faced crisis in the primary sector, it was the construction sector that absorbed the workers thrown out of jobs. Nearly three lakh workers were employed in the construction sector in the district.
The Government declared many packages for the agriculture sector but it refused to see the contributions of the construction sector in absorbing the shocks in the agriculture sector, particularly on the employment front, by not making the construction sector an industry.
The major problem faced by the sector was the skyrocketing prices of cement, steel, sand, etc. The Government had not taken steps to control the price hike for these materials by major cement and steel companies. This had resulted in the high cost of construction materials making it unaffordable for the common man, especially in the housing sector.
The hike in taxes by both the Central and State Governments for construction materials also compounded the problem. For example, the State Government had imposed a tax of 20 per cent for sanitaryware as against the 12 per cent tax earlier. This adversely affected the construction sector.
Supporting role
He said the construction sector supported large number of ancillary industries such as fabrication, furniture, electrical, plumbing, interior decoration, paint, handles, readymade door, windows etc.
It was a massive and wide industrial field that could be developed as a major industry with various concessions and financial support, Mr. Mani Sankar said.
Parliament march
Vijayan Kunisseri, general secretary of All-India Confederation of Building and Construction, workers affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), said construction sector should be recognised as an industry.
The union would organise a Parliament march on November 22 in New Delhi with this demand.
Some States, including Kerala, enacted the the Building Construction Workers and Welfare Fund Act. But Many States did not have such an Act.
The union called for such an Act in all States to protect the interest of the 15 crore workers engaged in the sector.
He said that if the sector was declared an industry it would help contribute greatly to the development of the country and provide infrastructure and housing facilities to the people.
G. PRABHAKARAN
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