Dharamshala, April 17
Workers from across the district staged a protest at the district headquarters in Dharamshala on Friday, raising slogans against the state government and warning of an intensified agitation if their pending claims are not settled soon.
Gathering at Kacheri Adda, the workers accused the government of ignoring their concerns for the past three years. The protest was led by Ravindra Singh, State General Secretary of the Trade Union Coordination Center, who said that repeated objections to workers’ claims were delaying the disbursal of benefits.
He said that construction workers have not received financial assistance for the past three years and alleged that welfare schemes exist only on paper. “Legal social security schemes are being publicized, but the benefits are not reaching workers,” he said. Singh claimed that the welfare board has been continuously raising objections over applications, leaving schemes such as scholarships, marriage assistance, disability support, medical aid, death benefits, and pensions effectively stalled. He added that many applications have been lying unattended in offices for long periods.
He further alleged that even claims related to death compensation and scholarships approved in December 2025 have not been credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts so far. The workers said their patience is running out and warned that they would be forced to launch a more aggressive protest if their demands are not addressed.
They added that several representations have already been submitted to the state government through different channels, but no action has been taken. The protesters also accused the government of failing to act against negligent officials and alleged that workers are being subjected to continued hardship due to administrative inaction.
