Pension Benefit for the Construction Worker

Description
The "Pension Benefit for the Construction Workers" by the Sikkim Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Labour Department, is a welfare scheme for the registered workers of the board. Under this scheme, pension to the registered beneficiaries of the Board who have completed the age of 60 years.

Benefits
• ₹10,000/- is provided for Pension Benefit.

Eligibility Criteria
1. > **For Registration as a Building/ Construction Worker:**
2. - The applicant should be a resident of Sikkim.
3. - The applicant should be a Building/ Construction Worker.
4. - The applicant should be between 18 and 60 years.
5. - The applicant should have served the Board for at least 90 days in a given year.
6. > **For the Application of the Welfare Scheme:**
7. - Should be a registered member Under the Sikkim Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
8. - Should have completed 60 years of age.
9. - Should have been working as a building worker for not less than 5 years after the registration as beneficiary under the board.

Required Documents
• Photographs of the concerned worker.
• Attested copy of Proof of Age.
• Attested copy of Address Proof.
• Details of the establishment where the applicant is working.
• Proof regarding Submission of Registration fees.
• Letter from concerned organization/establishment.
• Identity Card.
• Age proof/ Birth Certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the age requirement for registration as a beneficiary under the Act?
A: The building worker must be at least 18 years old and not older than 60 years old.

Q: Is there a minimum service requirement to register as a beneficiary?
A: Yes, the building worker must have completed 90 days of service as a building worker in the preceding 12 months.

Q: Who is responsible for registering a worker as a beneficiary?
A: The Beneficiary Registering Officer is responsible for registering the worker as a beneficiary under the Act.

Q: What is required for a worker to be registered as a beneficiary?
A: The worker must comply with all the requirements as laid down in the rules. Upon compliance, the Beneficiary Registering Officer will register the worker and issue an identity card with the worker's photograph affixed on it.

Q: What form is used for the identity card issued to registered workers?
A: The identity card is issued in Form XXVIII, which is annexed to these rules.

Q: Is there a record of issued identity cards?
A: Yes, the Beneficiary Registering Officer maintains a register of the issued identity cards in Form XXIX.

Q: Can a worker appeal a decision made by the Beneficiary Registering Officer?
A: Yes, any person may file an appeal to the Board within 30 days against the decision made by the Beneficiary Registering Officer. The decision of the Board is final.

Q: How is the record of registered beneficiaries maintained?
A: The Beneficiary Registering Officer maintains a district-wise register of workers registered as beneficiaries in Form XXX.

Q: What is the procedure for filing a nomination?
A: The building worker must file a nomination in Form XXXI. The nomination will be revised to include the name of the spouse upon acquiring a family or if there is any legal change in the status of the family.

Q: What is required in the application for a building worker engagement certification?
A: The application must include the employer's certificate confirming the engagement as a building worker.

Q: Is there a fee associated with the application for building worker engagement certification?
A: Yes, the application must be accompanied by documents showing payment of a registration fee of [?]20/-.

Q: What is the contribution amount for the fund?
A: A beneficiary of the fund shall contribute [?]20/- per month.

Q: How often should the contribution be remitted?
A: The contribution should be remitted once every 3 months.

Q: Where should the contribution be remitted?
A: The contribution should be remitted in any of the banks specified by the board in the district where the member resides.

Q: What happens if I default on my contribution payments?
A: If a beneficiary commits a default in the payment of contribution continuously for a period of one year, they shall cease to be a beneficiary of the fund.

Q: Can I resume my membership if I have defaulted on my contributions?
A: Yes, membership may be resumed with the permission of the Secretary of the board or any officer authorized by him. This can be done by paying the arrears of contribution, but such resumption shall not be allowed more than twice.

Q: How many times can I resume my membership after defaulting?
A: Membership resumption after defaulting is allowed a maximum of two times, with the permission of the Secretary or an authorized officer and after paying the arrears.

Q: Who is eligible for the pension?
A: A registered beneficiary who has been working as a building worker for not less than 5 years after registration under these rules shall be eligible for the pension upon completing 60 years of age.

Q: When does the pension become payable?
A: The pension becomes payable from the first day of the month following the month in which the beneficiary completes 60 years of age.

Q: How do I apply for the pension?
A: An application for the pension must be submitted in Form XXXVII to the Secretary of the Board or an Officer authorized by the Secretary.

Q: What happens after I submit my pension application?
A: If the Board determines that you are eligible for the pension, the Board will sanction it, and the Secretary will send the pension sanctioning order to you.

Q: What if my pension application is rejected?
A: If your application is rejected, you will be informed within a period of 90 days. You have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days from the date you receive the rejection order.

Q: Can the appeal period be extended?
A: Yes, the Board may condone the delay in filing the appeal if there is a sufficient reason provided in writing.

Q: Will I be given a chance to be heard if my application is to be rejected?
A: Yes, no application shall be rejected unless the applicant has been given an opportunity of being heard by the Board or an Officer authorized by the Board.

Q: What should I do if I believe I am eligible but my application was rejected?
A: You should file an appeal before the Board against the decision within 60 days from the receipt of the rejection order.

Q: Where can I obtain Form XXXVII for the application?
A: Form XXXVII can be obtained from the Board's office or their official website: https://labour.sikkim.gov.in/Uploads/Bocw/8F1D404A-3EC3-4DA9-A4D6-75880B26D191.pdf