NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, JUNE, 10
As the 2nd wave of pandemic is coming to an end and there are efforts made by the state governments across the country to reduce the lockdown and open up the economies, it’s about time to restart the manufacturing units, industries and construction sites as well. However, our country has a huge problem of migrant labours and these labours faced many problems of food, shelter and unemployment during this dreaded pandemic. So post pandemic acquiring labours in the market may become a huge problem.
Looking at the sorry plight of these migrant labours, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India already passed an order dated 24th May 2021 and directed the States/ Union territories to immediately set up community kitchens and also to do state wise publicity of these schemes so that needy persons can start taking the benefit of such schemes.
In July, 2017, Gujarat Government under the leadership of Vijay Rupani had announced a Statewide “SHRAMIK ANNAPURNA YOJNA” and had promised to serve hot nutritious full meal to the construction workers in the unorganized sector at Rs 10 per meal at the construction sites itself but in times when migrants needed food the most in the name of COVID the state govt has closed all 100 Annapurna food stalls during the last 1 year. In times when migrants needed food the most in name of Covid such centres were closed down and now Supreme Court has now asked the state government to restart healthy community kitchens at the earliest. Next date of hearing this matter before the Supreme Court is on 12th June and it is important that State Government takes proactive steps to restart the community services. .
At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and announced Free ration to 800 million people till Diwali, it is important that Gujarat Government also take immediate steps to restart the Sharmik Annpurna Yojna yet again not only in the 87 Kadianakas but across all the Kadianakas across the State and yet again start providing Nutritious Full meals to needy migrant workers and persons, feels Industry observers.
Shramik Annapurna Yojna was announced as an humanitarian effort to save the poor hardworking migrant workers and their families from hunger. Under this Scheme over 24,000 Shramiks were fed full proper meals of around 2000 calories only for Rs, 10 at around 87 Kadianakas across Gujarat. Such a scheme was a boon and an act of serving the humanity and the shramiks who had started working with more energy and purpose in their lives. Restarting this Scheme would definitely boost the morale of migrant workers in the state.
