Bangalore : The State government will soon set up Karnataka Construction Academy on the lines of National Construction Academy at a cost of Rs 200 crore to impart short-term training to unskilled workers in the construction industry, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday.

Addressing a State-level convention of unorganised workers organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), he said the proposed academy will chalk out training programmes and welfare schemes for the benefit of construction worker in the State. It will be named after late Sir M Vishvesvaraya, he added.

Besides, the chief minister announced a number of measures meant for the welfare of workers coming under the unorganised sector. These include construction of 33 marriage halls, including four in Bangalore, at a cost of Rs 67 crore, opening a residential school in each of the four revenue divisions and taking up a residential housing project for unorganised workers in urban areas at a cost Rs 130 crore.

Siddaramaiah said Rs 2,064 crore funds are available with the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board. Various programmes have been chalked out to spend Rs 800 crore for the welfare of construction workers in the current financial year, he added.

Labour Minister Parameshwar Nayak said the government has decided to give a maternity allowance of Rs 50,000 as a one-time assistance to each pregnant woman in the unorganised sector. Besides, an ex gratia of Rs two lakh will be given to the family members of construction workers who die accidentally at construction site, he added.

Though the convention was organised by the State Congress, KPCC chief G Parameshwara was conspicuous by his absence. His aides, however, said his illness was reason for the absence.

On the BJP bringing out a booklet listing out “101 mistakes” of his government, Siddaramaiah said the BJP has lost in the byelections to two Lok Sabha and three Legislative Council seats. Hence, it is making statements out of desperation.

“The BJP has become directionless. So, it has found out 101 mistake. There is no need to attach much importance to it,” he stated.