The Gujarat government has launched the Shramik Annapurna Yojana, a welfare scheme aimed at providing affordable and nutritious meals to laborers across the state. This initiative ensures that workers get hot, wholesome food at their workplaces or designated centers, helping them stay energized throughout the day. Managed by the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (GBOCWWB), the scheme is part of the state’s efforts to improve the lives of laborers.
Objective & Launch
The primary goal of the Shramik Annapurna Yojana is to offer laborers subsidized meals so they don’t have to carry food from home. This is especially beneficial for women workers, who often wake up early to prepare meals before heading to work. The scheme was first introduced in 2017 but was temporarily halted during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was revived on October 8, 2023, by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Key Benefits for Workers
- Highly subsidized meals at just ₹5 per day.
- Nutritious food including roti, dal, rice, vegetables, pickles, and jaggery.
- Weekly sweet dish (like sukhdi) for added variety.
- Additional government scheme awareness at meal centers.
Eligibility & Registration
- Workers must be registered with GBOCWWB and possess an e-Nirman Card.
- Family members can also avail benefits using the same card.
- Temporary workers get 15 days of meals while completing registration.
How to Apply?
- Online Registration: Visit https://enirmanbocw.gujarat.gov.in.
- Offline Process: Visit e-Gram centers, urban service centers, or e-Shram kiosks.
- Workers can also register at meal distribution centers by showing their e-Nirman Card.
Expansion Across Gujarat
Initially, the scheme had only 22 centers in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Now, it operates in over 287 locations across 17 districts, including:
- Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Mehsana, Bharuch, Patan, Morbi, Jamnagar, and Navsari.
- Plans to add 12 more centers soon for wider reach.
Challenges & Worker Feedback
While the scheme is highly beneficial, some laborers request:
- More regional food variations (e.g., bajra roti for Saurashtra workers, spicy dishes for UP/Rajasthan migrants).
- Consistent food quality & pricing across all districts.
Additional Benefits
Apart from meals, the scheme provides information on:
- Medical health units
- Maternity benefits
- Mukhyamantri Bhagyalakshmi Bond
- Educational aid (PhD scholarships)
- Nanaji Deshmukh Awas Yojana (housing scheme)
The Shramik Annapurna Yojana is a commendable initiative that supports Gujarat’s laborers by ensuring affordable, nutritious meals at their workplaces. With further improvements in food variety and accessibility, it can become a model welfare scheme for other states.