Hyderabad: In a move aimed at safeguarding the interests of gig and platform workers, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to include provisions for a dedicated welfare fund, accident coverage, and health insurance in the proposed Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Bill. The draft legislation is expected to offer legal recognition and improved social security to thousands of gig workers across the state.Chairing a high-level review meeting at the secretariat, the CM asked senior officials to ensure that comprehensive data on gig workers is maintained online for transparency and effective implementation. He also suggested expanding the scope of the draft bill to better address the needs of this growing segment of the workforce.Officials informed the CM that the draft policy proposes the formation of a welfare board with state govt representation to oversee the implementation of welfare schemes. Revanth made several suggestions to further enhance the impact of the proposed Act, which is likely to become one of the first such state-level frameworks for gig economy workers in the country.Earlier in the day, Revanth also chaired a separate review on the establishment of advanced technology centres (ATCs) under the Telangana Rising-2047 vision. The CM instructed officials to develop a model ATC in Genome Valley, equipped with training modules in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences tailored to industry needs. He emphasised that training at ATCs should align with the skill demands of emerging sectors.“Ensure the swift completion of all ATCs and offer industry-relevant training. I will personally conduct surprise inspections to monitor progress,” he said. Officials informed him that 111 ATCs are being developed in three phases—25 in phase I, 40 in phase II, and 46 in phase III. Of these, 49 centres have already become operational.Revanth also suggested engaging skilled construction firms to fast-track ATC infrastructure. A poster on ATCs was released by the CM at the meeting.
