Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje interacting with workers during an event to mark International Labour Day, in Hubbali on May 1.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Union Minister of State for Labour, Employment and MSME Shobha Karandlaje has alleged that the State Labour Department is not functioning properly.

Speaking to the press in Hubballi on Friday (May 1), Ms. Karandlaje claimed that in all Opposition party-ruled States, the welfare fund meant for the construction workers is not being utilised properly. “Especially in Karnataka, every year, ₹15,000 crore is collected as construction cess, which is not being properly utilised. For them, labour welfare means conducting health camps and distributing kits, thereby siphoning off the money. Our proposal is to utilise this fund for providing pensions and ESI and EPF facilities to construction workers. A few States have already adopted the suggestion, but the Karnataka government is yet to do so,” she pointed out.

Published – May 01, 2026 07:20 pm IST