State is assuming all domestic workers can use internet, register on portal: Karnataka High Court on govt scheme to provide Rs 2000

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday questioned the State government about the practicality of asking unorganised domestic workers to register themselves online for availing compensation of Rs 2,000 extended to them in view of COVID-19..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj, also asked how such persons might even be aware that they have to go to common service centres to register themselves online for availing compensation“How will persons know that they have to go to this common service center and other places to get registered on the portal. Perhaps the state government is proceeding on the assumption that all workers can use internet and upload photo and employment certificate to the portal,” the Bench demanded. .The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking registration of domestic workers under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, (Act) and related Rules, 2009..The State government had issued an order on May 20, 2021, as per which it would pay compensation of Rs. 2,000 to all unorganized workers in the State in view of financial difficulties due to lockdown imposed in the State..When the matter was taken up for hearing, the Court was informed that a domestic worker requires three documents to be registered - a photo, Adhaar card and application form. They are required to register themselves in the Seva Sindhu Portal. In the event that it is not possible, they may go to Gram Panchayats or Common Service centres etc to get themselves registered, the Court was told..However, the Court noted that no publicity was given with regard to this aspect..As the hearing went on, the Court was apprised of the State’s decision that no worker without Aadhaar card would be provided with compensation.“Suppose he does not have an Adhaar card, you will not give the amount?.....Then what is the point of the scheme”.“Very few don't have Adhaar cards”, replied the counsel appearing for the government..Even those few should get the benefit of the scheme, the Court said..Petitioner Advocate Clifton D Rozario submitted that the scheme was good and that it should reach all the workers.“In Bangalore alone, there are 4 lakh domestic workers. That's a conservative estimate,” said Advocate Rozario..The Court said, “the State must correct this procedure”.The Court further opined that the State has not mentioned that beneficiaries can approach offices of gram Panchayats, common service centres etc, and get online registration done..“The more we hear, we are convinced that you only want this scheme to remain in paper. This is only a small amount. So many adjournments. Government is giving so many excuses,” the Court added. .The Court, therefore proceeded to note reluctance of the State government to make the scheme available to all those who are eligible.“All this will remain on paper as there is no publicity provided by the state informing the availability of these modes of getting registered on the Seva Sindhu Portal,” the order said. .Therefore, it directed the State government to ensure that wide publicity is given informing that those domestic workers who are unable to register themselves may go to such other places as notified by the Government..The matter will be next heard on June 25.