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Title : Need to bring forth a comprehensive legislation for the welfare of agricultural workers.
SHRI AJOY CHAKRABORTY (BASIRHAT): Almost 30% of the rural workforce of India are agricultural workers and most of them belong to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe and are the poorest of poor of our country.
Though the entire agricultural operation of the country is totally dependent on these agricultural workers, but it is surprising that many years have elapsed after our independence we could not legislate a comprehensive Central Bill to protect these hapless agricultural workers.
These workers hardly get a job in the lean period, i.e, after the seasonal work in the field is over. They lack in facilities of the life be it housing, health, children education or women health. Then there are wide disparities in their wages from the State to State guaranteeing 100 days work is a welcome step, but until and unless a Central Comprehensive legislation improved is enacted the lot of these poor agricultural workers cannot be raised.
Therefore, I urge upon the Government to bring in a suitable legislation in this regard.