Gujarat’s e-Nirman portal, Uwin card initiatives for labour welfare earn SC appreciation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has lauded the historic initiative of the Gujarat government to provide e-Nirman portal and Uwin smart card, linked with Aadhaar card, for the welfare of workers working in unorganized sectors and asked other states to follow the Gujarat government’s model. This was noted by the Supreme Court during the hearing on the Suo MotuWrit petition regarding the problems of migrant workers.

Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani has launched an e-Nirman portal for the registration of workers working in unorganized sectors and construction sectors to enable them to avail the benefits of welfare schemes of the state government, embodying the approach of ‘Shramev Jayate’. A mobile application has also been launched with the facility of online registration so that workers can register online without wasting their working day. The state government is also planning to issue Uwin cards to registered workers.

Gujarat is the first state to take the initiative to register unorganized sector workers online. So far 6 lakh workers have been registered. In Gujarat, workers are being registered by visiting their places of residence and workplaces. Not only that, registration of workers has also been arranged through 21,291 Common Service Centres in the state. Workers can register by providing proofs such as Aadhaar number, bank account details, ration card and income certificate.

The Supreme Court has appreciated Gujarat’s initiative and directed to register and provide benefits to more and more workers through Gujarat’s e-Nirman portal. The details of how many workers have benefited from this initiative of the Gujarat government will be provided to the Supreme Court in next two weeks.

It is relevant to mention here that among the unorganized laborers in Gujarat, construction workers are paid Rs. 500 as maternity assistance and Rs. 2000 as higher assistance. CM Mr. Vijay Rupani has adopted a sensitive approach and increased this amount to Rs. 27,500. Not only that, on the occasion of the birth of a daughter in the family of workers, Bhagyalakshmi bonds worth Rs. 10,000 are given. In case of accidental death of any worker, assistance of Rs. 3 lakh is given to the heirs.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court has also asked all the states to start community kitchens for migrant workers. Gujarat is a leader in this matter too. Workers have been getting the benefits of ‘Shramik Annapurna Yojana’ in the state. Under this scheme, healthy and nutritious food is provided to the workers at a nominal price of only Rs. 10. This scheme, which was postponed during the second wave of Covid-19, will now be initiated in compliance with theCovid-19 protocol.