Gandhinagar, March 16: Gujarat’s Minister of Labor, Skill Development, and Employment, Kunvarji Bavaliya, celebrated his 71st birthday in a unique way. Instead of a grand event, he visited the Shramik Annapurna Scheme center located at Kadiya Naka in Gandhinagar. There, he personally served hot and nutritious meals to the workers present.
During his visit, Minister Bavaliya engaged directly with the workers to inquire about their well-being and inspected the quality of the food provided under the scheme. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that workers in the construction sector receive adequate nutrition.
The Gujarat government’s initiative has proven to be highly beneficial for labor families. Under this scheme, workers are provided simple, vegetarian, and nutritious meals at a subsidized rate of just 5 rupees. The meals include roti, vegetables, dal, rice, pickles, green chilies, and jaggery, with a sweet treat offered once a week. Additionally, primary health check-ups are available for workers to monitor their health.
Launched in June 2017 for the state’s construction workers, this program is operated through the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. According to state government reports, approximately 1.05 crore meals were distributed to workers in the fiscal year 2025-26 alone, with a total of 4.37 crore meals provided since the scheme’s inception.
Minister Bavaliya also discussed the expansion of the program, noting that 293 centers are currently operating successfully across Gujarat. Plans are underway to open 121 new centers soon, with an additional 300 centers slated for this year’s budget. The government’s aim is to extend this service to workers at the farthest reaches of the state, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals akin to home-cooked food.
He reviewed the health facilities available at the center and instructed the department to ensure special care for workers and their families according to seasonal needs. The Labor Welfare Board is also providing all kinds of primary medical facilities at these centers.
The minister’s inspiring initiative at the Kadiya Naka center brought joy and respect among the workers. They expressed that receiving nutritious meals at such a low cost significantly eases their burden and makes it easier for them to access food during work hours.
The state government believes that the Shramik Annapurna Scheme is not only providing affordable meals to laborers but also playing a crucial role in improving their health and living standards. With further expansion of the scheme, a larger number of workers are expected to benefit in the future.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
