Chapter 8

The skewed pattern of resource endowment in our system, with an abundant supply of labour, results in its under pricing and it is liable to be subjected to different kinds of exploitation. It is in this context that State intervention is necessitated with a view to effectively protecting the interests of labour. Industrial relations, working climate, safety measures, social security, fair wages, security of employment, motivation etc., are all important aspects impinging upon the condition of labour.

In the case of employment services, the major objective is to establish proper linkages between Organisations/ Institutions which need manpower on the one hand and those seeking employment on the other. Further, the economic and social forces operating in the economy are such that the gap between supply and demand for almost all kinds of skills continues to be wide. This necessitates the intervention of an agency in the form of Employment Exchanges to regulate the queuing system. The utility of the agency would depend upon the quickness and the ease with which services are rendered to the employers and to employment seekers as well.

With these goals and objectives, schemes were formulated and are being implemented by the respective departments.

For the IX Plan period a sum of Rs.3446.45 lakhs was provided for Labour and Labour Welfare Sector. Against this, a sum of Rs.2951.77 lakhs is anticipated to have been spent for the implementation of various schemes during the IX Plan period.

An important objective of the Tenth Plan is providing opportunities for a healthy and productive life for all. This vision will be achieved through the implementation of the 15 point programme which is the road map for development during the Tenth Plan. Among other things, the 15 point programme provides for livelihood security - work for all and transition from unskilled to skilled works, integrated attention to rural - on-farm employment as well as micro enterprises supported by micro credit: a new deal to the self employed through technology, training, techno-infrastructure and domestic and external trade. In the Tenth Plan period (2002-07), for Labour and Employment a sum of Rs.40.75 crores has been provided for taking up various schemes.

The outlay for 2002-03 was Rs.119.83 lakhs. The anticipated expenditure is likely to be Rs.269.45 lakhs.

An outlay of Rs.1945.22 lakhs is budgeted for the Annual Plan 2003-04. The following ongoing and new schemes will be implemented as part of the Annual Plan 2003-04.

Keeping in view the rapid industrialisation and taking into consideration the complex nature as well as difficult functioning being experienced in the sphere of industrial relations, Government has decided to strengthen the department both at the apex level and at the unit level to the extent possible. The entire outlay of Rs.13.60 lakhs provided for this scheme relates to new schemes for which details are given separately.

The Inspectorate of Factories plays a vital role in implementing the important policies of the Government such as protecting the safety, health and welfare of the workers in registered factories. The functions of the Chief Inspectorate of Factories can be broadly classified as follows:

The whole outlay of Rs.12.17 lakhs provided for strengthening of Factory Inspectorate relates to new schemes for which details are shown separately in this chapter.

(ii) Constitution of Monitoring Cell under the Administration Control of the Commissioner of Labour (Outlay Rs.22.59 lakhs)

The Supreme Court during 1996 delivered a historic judgement in the issue of child labour. According to the judgement a Survey of Child Labour was conducted in 1997, a Child Labour Rehabilitation - Cum - Welfare Fund at State and District level was formed and compensation of Rs.20,000/- per child employed as labour was to be collected from the employers and deposited in Child Labour Rehabilitation - Cum - Welfare Fund. A Child Labour Cell was formed in the Labour department in order to monitor the Supreme Court's direction. The Cell monitors the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement, campaigns against child labour and acts as monitoring and evaluation body for child labour elimination. For implementation of the programmes of the cell a sum of Rs.22.59 lakhs has been provided for Annual Plan 2003-04.

The employment Wing deals with rendering employment assistance and Vocational guidance to the employment seekers and the collection of Employment Market Information which is useful for Manpower Planning. The details of various schemes implemented are discussed below:

To provide more efficient, complaint free and quicker services to the registered job seekers and the employers and to avoid other shortcomings encountered in the manual system of selection of candidates, computerisation was introduced in Tamil Nadu during 1986-87 in a phased manner. Originally this scheme was financed by Government of India for purchase of hardware. This scheme has been transferred to State Plan with effect from 1993. Under this scheme so far, 29 Employment Exchanges have been computerised. The entire provision of Rs.27.80 lakhs relates to new schemes. The details are shown separately.

A Special Employment Office for physically handicapped is functioning at Chennai to render employment assistance to blind, deaf and orthopaedically handicapped candidates. The Officer in charge of this unit has to contact a number of establishments in private and public Sector for purpose of canvassing vacancies for the handicapped, especially the blind. Besides the above, he has to do liaison work with several voluntary agencies involved in the work of rehabilitation of physically handicapped. The handicapped, especially the blind candidates have to be taken to the various establishments whenever interviews are held for selection of such candidates. In order to increase the placement of handicapped by transporting the blind to the place of interview, a Diesel Van was provided to this office. Necessary funds for the maintenance of this vehicle, supply of fuel and salary for the Driver is being provided under Non-Plan.

(iii) Tribal Area Sub Plan-Special Vocational Guidance Centre for Tribal Population in Kalrayan Hills Employment

With a view to provide proper guidance facilities to all job seeking Scheduled Tribe candidates and Tribal population, a special Vocational Guidance Centre at Sankarapuram in Villupuram district has been set up during 1986-87. During 1992-93, two special Vocational Guidance Centres one each at Salem and Tiruvannamalai were set up for Tribal population for providing similar service to the Tribals in the Area. The schemes are transferred to Non-Plan.

The Craftsmen Training Scheme is implemented throughout Tamil Nadu to augment technical manpower and to meet growing demand for technically trained craftsmen by Industrial Sectors. For this purpose 53 Government Industrial Training Institutes have been set up with a capacity of 17564 seats to train craftsmen in 35 Engineering and 16 Non-Engineering trades throughout Tamil Nadu under Craftsmen Training Scheme during the Plan periods. These include 10 Industrial Training Institutes exclusively for Women, one for Scheduled Caste and another one for Tribals. For the effective implementation of various training programmes, the Government have accommodated funds to the tune of Rs.1869.06 lakhs under Plan Schemes.

The following Sub Plan schemes will receive continued State support for implementing the various Craftsmen Training Programme:

(i) Deputation of Junior Training Officers to Central Training Institutes (Outlay Rs.0.55 lakh)

Every year 25 Junior Training Officers are being deputed for training at various Central Training Institutes / Advanced Training Institutes to acquaint themselves with the latest skill and technology which will be very useful to them while imparting training to their trainees in Industrial Training Institutes. A sum of Rs.0.55 lakh is provided for meeting the stipend, travel and deputation expenses connected with the programme. This will be continued during the year 2003-04.

(ii) Strengthening of Industrial Training Institutes (Outlay Rs.85.27 lakhs)

This scheme covers the expenditure towards salaries to staff, Office Expenses, Stipend to trainees, purchase of raw materials and consumables, tools Machinery and equipment etc. for training purposes in respect of the ITI at Needamangalam and Thirukkuvalai. This scheme has been taken to Non-Plan from April 2002 onwards. However, for the 2003-04 an outlay of Rs.85.27 lakhs has been provided for taking up new schemes for which the details are explained separately.

(iii) Modernisation of Existing Industrial Training Institutes (Outlay Rs.60.73 lakhs)

In view of the increased use of sophisticated machinery and equipment and changes in technology, an advanced vocational training programme has been introduced at the Industrial Training Institutes at Ambattur and Coimbatore with the objective of providing training to the industrial workers for upgrading their skills to enable them to operate and maintain sophisticated machinery and equipment consequent on the technological advancement. Further, a new scheme for modernisation of existing 21 Industrial Training Institutes and introduction of new Trades in 13 Industrial Training Institutes was started during 1997-98. Those 21 Industrial Training Institutes which were not covered under World Bank Aided Skill Development Project were upgraded and modern equipment were provided under this scheme. The outlay of Rs.60.73 lakhs provided in the budget includes a sum of Rs.60.70 lakhs towards staff salary, for the above scheme. The rest of the amount Rs.0.03 lakh is provided for capital works.

As per the provisions of Apprentices Act 1961, the Apprenticeship Training Scheme is implemented in this State. This scheme provides opportunities for the Ex-Industrial Training Institute trainees as well as freshers to undergo Apprenticeship Training in Industrial establishments. While the apprentices undergo practical training afforded in Industrial establishments, they are being concurrently provided theoretical training in their trades by the 8 Related Instruction Centres established in this State. So far 1.31 lakhs apprentices have benefitted by this Apprenticeship Training Scheme. To ensure effective implementation of Apprenticeship Training Scheme, a sum of Rs.62.51 lakhs is provided in Budget Estimate for 2003-04 to meet the recurring expenditure like staff salary etc. under this scheme.

(v) Accident Relief Schemes to certain poor occupational categories (Outlay Rs.160.00 lakhs)

The Government of Tamil Nadu is providing cash assistance (through Revenue department) to the families of artisans in villages including workers engaged in 44 categories of notified employment who die due to accident arising out of employment and to the workers who sustained injuries or physical impairment. The quantum of relief at present varies from Rs.7,500/- to Rs.15,000/- depending upon the nature of injury sustained and the degree of physical impairment. The entire relief amount paid to the workers who sustained injuries or suffered physical impairment is being met by the State Government since the introduction of the scheme. The outlay under this scheme for 2003-04 has been fixed at Rs.160.00 lakhs. During 2001-02 a sum of Rs.111.18 lakhs was paid and during 2002-03 (up to October, 2002) a sum of Rs.10.70 lakhs has been disbursed.

The Government is providing monetary assistance to the tune of Rs.2000/- through Revenue department to the families with annual income of Rs.7.200/- when their bread winners die. Under this scheme a sum of Rs.1500.00 lakhs has been proposed for 2003-04 to extend cash assistance.

(vii) Tribal Area Sub Plan - Mini Industrial Training Institute at Sankarapuram

The aim of this scheme is to assist the tribals to improve the socio-economic conditions by giving them employable vocational training in different trades. This scheme is being implemented in Industrial Training Institute, Sankarapuram. This scheme has been transferred to Non-Plan.

Setting up of Special Cells for Physically Handicapped in Employment Exchanges (Outlay Rs.23.40 lakhs)

In order to promote the placement of handicapped, Special Cells were set up in the normal Employment Exchanges at Coimbatore, Salem, Kancheepuram, Tirunelveli, Cuddalore. During 1991-92 special cells for Physically Handicapped were set up, one each at the District Employment Office, Erode, Tuticorin, Vellore and Udagamandalam. At present there are 9 cells functioning in the State for providing employment assistance for the betterment of the physically handicapped in the mufusil centres. All these Cells are provided with 100% Central assistance. Hence a sum of Rs.23.40 lakhs is proposed for the year 2003-04 to meet the recurring expenditure.

Scheme for installation of computers in the 12 District Level Offices and in the Head office of the Department (Outlay Rs.13.60 lakhs)

It is necessary to maintain data on strikes and lockouts and monitor different aspects of enforcement machinery of the Department. The computer system will also be useful for storing information on Labour Laws, Case Laws and Journals on Labour Management and Labour Jurisprudence and also for adminstrative work. Therefore, it is proposed to install computers in the 12 Dsitrict level Offices and in the Head Office (Rs.2 lakhs) of the Department at a total cost of Rs.13.60 lakhs.

(1) Purchase of Six computers to the Chief Inspector of Factories and Joint Chief Inspector of Factories (Outlay Rs.5.00 lakhs)

Under modernisation and strengthening of the Office of the Chief Inspector of Factories, the Office of the Chief Inspector of Factories and 5 Joint Chief Inspector of Factories will be provided with computer facilities at a cost of Rs.5.00 lakhs during 2003-04.

(2) Provision of one Xerox machine for Additional Chief Inspector of Factories and 3 more Xerox machines to the Regional Joint Chief Inspector of Factories (Outlay Rs.4.38 lakhs)

For easy and fast communication of copies of data between the Head Office and Field Offices of Chief Inspector of Factories Department, the Additional Chief Inspector of Factories and the Regional Joint Chief Inspector of Factories require Xerox machines. To provide them with Xerox machines, a sum of Rs.4.38 lakhs has been proposed for 2003-04.

(3) Provision of FAX machine to 6 offices of Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories at Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Thiuppur, Salem and Trichy (Outlay Rs.1.62 lakhs)

To increase the operational efficiency of the Department and for quick communication of information between the Head office and subordinate offices, it is proposed to provide FAX machines at a cost of Rs.1.62 lakhs for 2003-04.

(4) Provision of Telephones to 4 Offices of the Inspector of Factories (Outlay Rs.1.17 lakhs)

The 4 Offices of the Inspector of Factories at Kovilpatty, Hozur, Villupuram and Sivaganga will be provided with telephone facilities to facilitate easy connectivity with Head Office and Regional Offices. The cost involved is Rs.1.17 lakhs.

(1) Up gradation of computer system of the District Employment Offices, Chennai - 4 and Chennai - 18 (Outlay Rs.7.00 lakhs)

The computer systems available at Professional and Executive Employment Office, Chennai - 4 and Chennai - 18 which were purchased during 1991--92 need upgradation. Hence a sum of Rs.7.00 lakhs is proposed for 2003-04 for upgradation of the computer system.

(2) Computerisation of one Employment office at Sivaganga (Outlay Rs.16.00 lakhs)

The District Employment Offices at Sivaganga with 3 additional offices at Karur, Perambalur and Ooty are to be computerised during 2003-04 at a cost of Rs.16.00 lakhs with a view to make the service offered by the Employment Exchange efficient and cost effective.

The Directorate is functioning in two different buildings. The manually operated PABX available has outlived in utility. Hence, in order to facilitate easy and quick communication, it is proposed to substitute Electronic Telephone Exchange Board at the Directorate at a cost of Rs.2.00 lakhs as a new scheme for 2003-04.

(4) Purchase of FAX Machine for Four Regional Deputy Director (Employment) offices at Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai and recurring provision for Xerox (Outlay Rs.2.80 lakhs)

The four Regional level Deputy Director Offices are functioning under the Directorate (Employment Wing) and they have overall control of the 8 to 9 Districts located in their respective regions. Very often data have to be collected from the field offices, compiled at Regional level and transmitted to Directorate at very short notices. Therefore, for easy and fast communication between field offices and Directorate through Regional Offices, FAX machines and consumables for xerox machines are to be provided in a phased manner. Hence, a sum of Rs.2.80 lakhs has been proposed for this purpose for 2003-04.

(1) Introduction of Desk Top Publishing Operator Trade in Government ITIs., Guindy, Madurai and Nagercoil (w) by diversification of trade (Outlay Rs.36.00 lakhs)

The Hand Compositor trade now available in Government Industrial Training Institutes has become unpopular due to the emerging of a new technology called Desk Top Publicity Operator. This new trade has to be introduced in the ITIs at Guindy, Madurai and Nagercoil (w) by conversion of the existing Hand Compositor Trade into D.T.P.O. This conversion of trade will not only help a lot to the candidates but also the Department since application forms and prospectus for ITI admission are printed every year in Government ITI, Guindy. Hence, a sum of Rs.36 lakhs is proposed for the year 2003-04.

(2) Construction of dust-proof room with A/c for CNC machines in Government Industrial Training Institutes (Outlay Rs.32.27 lakhs)

Computer aided Turning and Milling machines and other equipments were supplied to 8 ITIs at Guindy, Chengalpattu (N) Chennai, Vellore, Trichy, Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore. The above sophisticated computer aided CNC machines are to be kept in dust-proof room with A/c facilities. Hence a sum of Rs.32.27 lakhs is proposed for 2003-04 for the purpose.

(3) Construction of Hostel for Government ITI., Thiruvannamalai (Outlay Rs.7.00 lakhs)

Consequent on the formation of Thiruvannamalai District, the Revenue authorities have taken possession of a part of land, students hostel and staff quarters for construction of Collectorate. The students coming from far off places are without hostel facilities. Hence, a sum of Rs.7.00 lakhs has been proposed for construction of students hostel for Government ITI, Thiruvannamalai. The ultimate cost of the scheme is Rs.40 lakhs.

(4) Construction Own building for Government ITI, Needamangalam, Thiruvarur District (Outlay Rs.10 lakhs)

The Government ITI in Needamangalam is now functioning in a private rental building. The present private building is not having the required space as per the N.C.V.T. norms and not provided with basic amenities. Hence it is proposed to construct a new building to conform to the norms of N.C.V.T. for the ITI under new schemes at an ultimate cost of Rs.142 lakhs. The cost for 2003-04 is restricted to Rs.10 lakhs.

For the year 2003-04 a total sum of Rs.1945.22 lakhs has been provided for taking both ongoing and new schemes. The departmentwise outlays are indicated below:

Sl.No.	Heads of department	Outlay for 2003-04
1	Commissioner of Labour	36.19
2	Chief Inspector of Factories	12.17
3	Employment and Training	236.86
4	Commissioner for Revenue Administration	1660.00
	Total - Employment & Training	1945.22