The Maharashtra government has proposed to extend benefits of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as well as insurance schemes to those cutting, harvesting and transporting sugarcane. According to state Labour department official, the state has around eight lakh labourers engaged in these works in 168 cooperative and private sugar factories.

The official said that it has been proposed to extend benefits of EPF, insurance schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, financial assistance for children’s education and housing to these labourers.

The official informed that for the implementation of the scheme, there will be an office in Parli in Beed district, as a large number of cane labourers are from there. The official added that a drive would also be undertaken to register them.