Wed Oct 15 14:12:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad inaugurated a program in Yadgir to distribute smart cards to unorganized sector workers, outlining various schemes designed to protect them and ensure social security. He emphasized the government’s commitment to this sector, highlighted existing and upcoming legislation to benefit workers, and detailed financial assistance programs. Lad also criticized the central government’s economic performance and praised the Chief Minister’s social welfare initiatives. The event also included requests for residential schools for children of unorganized sector workers and was attended by various local dignitaries.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Gov’t Vows Protection for Unorganized Workers with New Schemes**

**Yadgir, October 15, 2025** – The Karnataka state government is doubling down on its commitment to the unorganized sector, promising increased protection and social security for its workers. Labour Minister Santosh Lad made the pledge while inaugurating a smart card distribution program for unorganized workers in Yadgir on Wednesday.

“We consider all unorganized sector workers as family and are committed to safeguarding their livelihoods,” Lad stated. “Through various schemes and upcoming legislation, we will ensure they receive the benefits they deserve.”

The Minister highlighted key initiatives like the Ambedkar Karmika Sahaya Hasta Yojana, which has already registered over 25 lakh workers across the state, with 59,493 in Yadgir district alone. The distributed smart cards will streamline access to government benefits for registered members.

Lad outlined several schemes, including the Karnataka State Private Commercial Transport Workers Accident Scheme, the Karnataka State Gig Workers Insurance Scheme, and others that offer compensation ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh in cases of death or permanent disability. He also pointed to the Ashadeepa Scheme, an incentive-based program where the government covers 50% of the salary for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees in the private sector. ₹51.61 crore has been released to over 74,000 beneficiaries to support education, marriage and health needs.

The Minister didn’t shy away from political commentary, criticizing the Narendra Modi government’s economic performance, questioning the lack of per capita income growth despite the claim of a $4 trillion economy. He contrasted this with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s effective implementation of the state’s guarantee schemes, which he credited with boosting the state’s GDP and per capita income. “500 crore women freely travelled in government-owned buses after the Shakti scheme was implemented, and it has become a world-record scheme.”

Minister for Small Scale Industries and Public Enterprises Sharanabasappa Darshanapur expressed gratitude for the sanctioning of a residential school for the children of unorganized workers in Bheemarayanagudi. Local MLAs Channareddy Patil Tunnur and Sharanagouda Kandkur also requested similar schools for their constituencies.

The event was a collaborative effort between the Karnataka Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board, the State Unorganised Workers Social Security Board, the Transport Department, the District Administration, and the Zilla Panchayat. Numerous dignitaries, including Chairman Baburao Chinchansur, CMC Chairman Lalita Anapur, Deputy Commissioner Harshal Boyar, and Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar, were in attendance.

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