A podcast session organized by The Kautilya Society at National Law University, Tripura

NLU Tripura’s Kautilya Society Fosters Crucial Dialogue on Tripura’s Construction Workers – A Fight for Health

The Kautilya Society at National Law University, Tripura (NLUT) successfully organised an impactful online podcast discussion titled “Tripura’s Construction Workers: A Fight for Health” on October 28, 2025. The event brought together students, faculty members, and legal enthusiasts to address the pressing issues surrounding occupational health and safety faced by construction workers who form the backbone of the state’s infrastructure development.

The session was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of NLUT, Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh. In his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of integrating social realities into legal education. He underscored that academic institutions must look beyond theoretical instruction and engage with ground-level concerns that affect vulnerable communities such as construction workers. His remarks set the tone for a deeply engaging and socially relevant discussion on labour rights and the protection of workers.

In this insightful podcast, the guest was Shri Biswajit Paul, TCS SSG, the Labour Commissioner of Tripura. And the podcast was hosted by Krishna Bisht, a 2nd-year B.A. LL.B. student and a member of the NLUT Kautilya Society, served as a significant platform for deepening the understanding of labour law in practice.

The keynote address was delivered by our guest Shri Biswajit Paul sir, who brought practical insights drawn from his extensive administrative experience. He provided a detailed overview of the initiatives undertaken by the Tripura Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare (TBOCWW) Board, particularly highlighting the Nirman Shramik Welfare Scheme 2.0. Shri Paul explained the simplification of the registration process and the positive impact of extensive awareness drives. He elaborated on the health-oriented welfare measures, including provisions for occupational injury treatment, respiratory disease prevention, and dermatological care, all of which are becoming increasingly important in light of climate change.

He further explained that regular awareness camps are organise under the agies of Directorate, offering monetary benefits to upto Rs 25,000. Migrant workers are being integrated into the official welfare network through registration under the e-Shram portal. In conformity with Section 39 of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996, inspections are routinely conducted to ensure compliance with safety norms, while protective gear such as helmets, gloves, and harnesses are distributed. He also mentioned that under Rules 178 and 179 of the Tripura BOCW Rules, 2001, workers can self-register through the online portal. Violations of safety regulations invite penalties under Sections 47 to 50 of the Act. Future plans include accelerating digital registration and expanding health and safety campaigns.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Society’s Faculty Advisor, Ms. Susmita Das, acknowledging the valuable contributions of the speaker and participants. This impactful dialogue-driven by the dedicated NLUT Kautilya team, the podcast reaffirmed NLUT’s institutional vision of bridging legal academia with practice, exemplifying law’s role as a tool for meaningful social transformation