Centre urges states to support PMVBRY, launches Digital Labour Chowk and BOCW Cess Portal
Union Minister for Labour & Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
| Photo Credit:
ANI
The Centre on Tuesday urged states and Union Territories to share innovative ideas for operationalising new labour and employment initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), while underlining that effective implementation is vital to achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
These discussions took place on the opening day of the two-day National Conference of Labour, Employment, and Industry Ministers and Secretaries of States/UTs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a statement. The conference also reviewed the draft National Labour and Employment Policy (‘Shram Shakti Niti’) and the proposed Private Placement Agency Bill, which aim to modernise India’s employment ecosystem.
A presentation on the PMVBRY outlined the scheme’s vision and structure, noting that it is designed around EPFO enrolment to incentivise the creation of new formal sector jobs and ensure their sustainability.
Mandaviya’s push for synergy
Union Minister for Labour & Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya emphasised that, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, the government has placed citizens at the heart of policymaking.
Highlighting the PMVBRY — with an outlay of nearly ₹1 lakh crore aimed at generating 3.5 crore jobs — Mandaviya urged states to align their employment and skilling programmes with the national mission for maximum impact and synergy.
He noted that the current conference is a follow-up to the deliberations held in January 2025, focusing now on “turning decisions into visible outcomes on the ground.” The Minister detailed the PMVBRY’s structure to promote the formalisation of jobs and enhance social security, and called for active state collaboration to ensure the scheme’s success.
Mandaviya stressed that sustained coordination between all stakeholders — central and state governments, industry, and workers — is essential to ensure welfare benefits reach every worker across India.
In her opening remarks, Secretary (Labour & Employment) Vandana Gurnani described the National Conference as a “vital dialogue platform” for building national partnerships and converting discussions into actionable outcomes. She urged states to contribute practical ideas for implementing PMVBRY and to engage actively in discussions on the draft National Labour & Employment Policy and the Private Placement Agency Bill, noting that robust implementation would be key to realising a Viksit Bharat.
Digital tools for transparent, efficient labour governance
During the conference, the Union Minister launched two key digital initiatives — the Digital Labour Chowk mobile application and the Online BOCW Cess Collection Portal — to improve transparency, efficiency, and worker welfare.
The Digital Labour Chowk app is a multilingual platform that connects workers directly with employers, enabling transparent, efficient job matching while reducing reliance on middlemen and the need for unsafe roadside waiting.
The Online BOCW (Building and Other Construction Workers) Cess Collection Portal introduces a unified digital system for automatic cess calculation, online payment, and real-time monitoring. The portal links plan approvals to cess verification, thereby accelerating the flow of funds to State Welfare Boards and strengthening financial support for worker benefits.
The Ministry also showcased the model of Labour Chowk Facilitation Centres (LCFCs), designed to transform unsafe informal gathering spots into structured hubs offering shelter, drinking water, sanitation, and direct access to welfare services such as worker registration and health camps.
Published on November 12, 2025
