Use Funds For Construction Workers To Help Other Workers Too: Top Court

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre as to why it cannot issue an Ordinance that funds collected under the welfare scheme meant for building and construction workers across the country be used for other workers as well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said that other workers are "equally poor" and the Centre has to be "proactive" on this issue.

"Why don't you simply issue an Ordinance that during the COVID period, you can use it for construction workers and other workers also," the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, asked Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan.