Labour minister Akash Fundkar Announces ₹600 Crore Skill Centres, Seeks CREDAI Pune’s Partnership on Workforce Training

Pune, April 30, 2026: The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) Pune successfully hosted its annual Construction Safety Awards at the Sheraton Grand hotel on Monday, 27th April, 2026 . The event was graced by Chief Guest, Hon’ble Shri Adv. Akash Pandurang Fundkar, Minister of Labour, Government of Maharashtra;  Guests of Honour, Shri Devendra P. Pothphode, Chief Fire Officer (PDRF & Fire), PMRDA, and Shri Bharat Jaisinghani, Joint Managing Director, Polycab India Ltd.

The Construction Safety Awards, attended by 300 Plus CREDAI members, representatives from various construction sites celebrated and recognized outstanding contributions to construction safety, reinforcing its critical importance within the industry. A comprehensive Safety Souvenir was also unveiled in the presence of all dignitaries, marking a significant milestone in strengthening safety standards and practices across the sector.

Hon’ble Shri Adv. Akash Pandurang Fundkar, Minister of Labour, Government of Maharashtra, said, “The Government of Maharashtra is fully committed to working closely with CREDAI Pune, and I firmly believe that this collaboration must go beyond formal platforms and evolve into continuous, meaningful engagement. I urge CREDAI and all industry stakeholders to meet us regularly, share practical insights, and help us strengthen both policy and on-ground implementation. Together, we must ensure that ‘Safety First’ does not remain just a slogan, but becomes a deeply ingrained culture across every construction site in the country.

At the same time, our focus on worker welfare must be both effective and far-reaching. While welfare cess is being collected through this sector, the real challenge lies in its efficient utilization and ensuring that the benefits reach every genuine worker. This calls for stronger awareness, better registration under BOCW, and a more coordinated effort between the government and industry.

We are also moving ahead with a clear and ambitious skilling roadmap. The Government of Maharashtra is planning an investment of nearly ₹600 crore to establish world-class, modern skill development centers for construction workers in key locations such as Mumbai and Nagpur. These centers will focus on advanced technologies, modern equipment, and creating a future-ready workforce that can meet the evolving demands of the sector.

I invite CREDAI Pune to work in close partnership with us in this journey — from strengthening worker registrations and welfare outreach to actively contributing to skilling, safety training, and awareness initiatives. If we work together effectively, with commitment and accountability, I am confident that we can build a safer, more skilled, and truly progressive construction sector — one that not only drives growth but also ensures dignity, security, and opportunity for every worker who powers this industry. “

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Shri J. P. Shroff, Vice President, CREDAI Pune & Chairman – Labour Welfare Committee, said, “The construction sector in Maharashtra stands as a powerful pillar of economic growth, contributing significantly to the state’s GDP while generating employment at an immense scale. As urbanisation accelerates and rural opportunities decline, construction has evolved from a seasonal occupation into a stable livelihood for millions of families. This shift makes labour welfare not just a social obligation, but an economic imperative. Research shows that improved worker safety, training, and living conditions can enhance productivity by 8–10%, delivering substantial benefits to both industry and the broader economy. With significant funds available under welfare schemes like BOCW, there is a strong opportunity to drive real, lasting change, especially when government bodies collaborate closely with industry associations like CREDAI.“

This vision for the real estate industry is championed by CREDAI-Pune leadership, including President Mr. Manish Jain; Vice President Mr. Arvind Jain; Chairman, Labour Welfare Committee and Vice President, Mr. J.P. Shroff; and Chairman – Construction Site Safety Awards, Ms. Sapna Rathi. They were supported by Convener, labour welfare committee ,Mr. Milind Talathi along with Member Labour Welfare Committee, Mr. Parag Patil, the entire Labour Welfare Committee and the CREDAI Secretariat team.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)