Maharashtra Launches Online Registration for Workers
In a significant move to streamline and digitise the registration process for construction workers, the Maharashtra government has rolled out an online registration system. This initiative aims to simplify enrolment while ensuring biometric verification and document validation at designated district and taluka centres. Maharashtra Labour Minister Akash Fundkar announced that the system is now operational across the state, bringing ease and efficiency to the process.
To facilitate the verification process, the government has established 366 Taluka Suvidha Kendras, where workers can schedule their visits as per convenience. Each centre has been designed to process up to 150 applications per day, ensuring a structured and organised approach to registrations. The Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS) serves as the backbone of this digital initiative, managing registration, renewal, and benefit distribution for construction workers. Previously, these tasks were handled solely at district centres, often causing delays and administrative bottlenecks. However, following a Central Government directive, Maharashtra has now expanded these services to taluka-level facilities.
Since the launch of Suvidha Kendras on November 8, 2024, a staggering 5,12,581 applications have already been processed. However, the overwhelming response has led to large crowds, disrupting daily work schedules for labourers. In response, the Labour Department has revised its operational guidelines to enhance efficiency and transparency. Revised Guidelines for Speedier Processing to reduce delays, the government has introduced key measures, including:
Faster processing at taluka centres: If a district centre schedules a delayed date for benefit distribution, the application will be redirected to the nearest taluka centre for quicker processing.
Expansion of facilitation centres: Additional taluka-level buildings will be designated as worker facilitation centres, particularly in areas where district headquarters are located.
Dedicated workforce for application management: Of the five employees assigned to each district centre, three will focus on data entry, while two will handle updates for workers’ records.
Emphasising the urgency of clearing backlogged applications, Minister Fundkar has set a March 31, 2025, deadline for resolving all pending registrations. To oversee implementation, a coordination cell has been established at the board level, ensuring that workers receive timely access to their benefits. This initiative marks a major digital transformation in Maharashtra’s labour welfare system, making the process more accessible, transparent, and worker-friendly.
