The Government of Himachal Pradesh has officially released the Authoritative English Text of a significant amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2008. The notification, issued by the Department of Labour, Employment & Overseas Placement aligns with clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India, which mandates the publication of authoritative English versions of laws and regulations.
The amendments, made in the exercise of powers conferred by Sections 40, 62, and 18 of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, were finalized in consultation with the Expert Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Act.
Key Highlights of the Amendment Rules, 2025
The revised rules will be known as the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2025 and will come into immediate effect from the date of their publication in the Rajpatra (e-Gazette) of Himachal Pradesh.
A key modification replaces the phrase “respective Councillor/Member of Ward Sabha in Municipal Corporation Area” with “JE/SDO/Executive Engineer or any other officer authorized by the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation”. This change is intended to streamline administrative processes and improve oversight by involving technically qualified personnel.
The amendment introduces a major welfare provision: all registered workers of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will now be covered under both the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB PM-JAY) and HIMCARE, subject to guidelines issued by the National Health Authority. This ensures broader access to healthcare services for construction workers and their families.
A 6-month time frame is now specified for beneficiaries to submit claims to the Welfare Board following an event or completion of work.
A new provision restricts multiple claims from the same family, stating that only one registered member per family will be eligible to claim financial assistance for dependents under Board schemes, thereby aiming to prevent duplication and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
