ICYMI, Here Are All the Govt Sops That Gujarat Has Been Promised

The Election Commission announced the dates for Gujarat assembly polls on 25 October, 13 days after they declared the schedule for poll-bound Himachal Pradesh.

With the announcement of dates, the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, placing restrictions on the ruling party from launching new welfare programmes, and closing the floodgates on a slew of new sops and welfare programmes announced by the BJP-government in the state.

According to Times of India, projects and freebies worth Rs 11,000 crore were announced by the Vijay Rupani government since 12 October – when the Model Code of Conduct came to force in Himachal Pradesh.

Just one day prior to the announcement, hours before the MCC came to effect, the Gujarat government announced four major schemes and projects.

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50% Pay Hike to ASHA Workers

The government on 24 October raised the salary of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers by 50 percent.

ASHA workers in Gujarat are mostly local women, who act as health activists, and with the help of whom the government aims to implement the National Rural Mission.

There are approximately 40,000 of these workers in the state, and they have reportedly been staging protests over the last eight months, demanding fixed pay and a permanent employment status.

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Zero Interest Crop Loan And A GST Waiver

Earlier this month, the Rupani government announced zero-interest crop loans for farmers, unto Rs 3 lakh. According to a News18 report, the move is expected to benefit 25 lakh farmers.

The state also announced a waiver of 18% GST, that would have otherwise been levied on the purchase of drip irrigation system. Such purchases will be funded by the Gujarat Green Revolution Company, and is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 78 crore.

Ceiling of Backward Class Beneficiaries Raised

Government assistance was earlier given to those with an annual income of Rs 47,000 in the rural areas, and Rs 68,000 in urban areas, belonging to the SC, ST and OBC communities.

On 24 October, however, the government declared that this ceiling would be raised to Rs 1.20 lakh to those in rural areas, and Rs 1.5 lakh to the corresponding group in urban areas.

Sops Galore For Contract Employees of Govt

Contract employees of the government will reportedly get an additional leave of 11 days, and a maternity leave of 90 days with pay – after the completion of one year of employment, and for a maximum of two children.

These workers are also eligible for Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia on accidental or natural death during duty, which will be paid to the next of kin.

Hike For Govt School Teachers

The government said "fixed-pay" teachers of government-aided secondary and higher secondary schools across the state would get a significant hike in their salaries. Employees of 105 municipalities, approximately 15,000 teachers, would now get salaries according to the provisions of the 7th Pay Commission.

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Ahmedabad Metro Project

Although, the proposal is to be sent to the Union cabinet for approval, the state government has given a green signal to the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro rail project.

575 new buses will be inducted in the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani gave appointment letters to conductors.

Cases Against Protestors Withdrawn

On 22 October, the government announced that it would withdraw criminal cases filed against 22 agitating farmers in Sanand district in rural Ahmedabad. The farmers were charged with “attempt to murder”, after their protest demanding better irrigation supply, in February, turned violent.

The government also announced that 468 cases against Patidars, filed by the police, during the reservation agitation, will also be withdrawn.

Also Read: Exclusive: Vikas Is a Myth in Gujarat – OBC Leader Alpesh Thakor

Additional SP Post Created

The post of Additional SP was created in Gujarat Police for the first time, and 21 DSPs were promoted to the rank, reported News18. It is to be noted that eight of these DSPs belong to the Patidar community.

Polls will be held in Gujarat in two phases – on 9 December and 15 December, covering 182 assembly seats. Results for the same will be announced on 18 December, announced the Election Commission.

(With inputs from Scroll.in, News18, Times of India)

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