 Early Times Report
LUCKNOW, May 1: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the 'Shramveer Gaurav Samaroh 2026' organized in Lucknow, reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring security, dignity, and stability in the lives of workers. He clearly stated, "The state's development is meaningful only when the working class is empowered and secure. With this vision, the state government is rapidly advancing a campaign to connect worker families with comprehensive health security coverage."
He added, so far, 12 lakh 26 thousand construction workers have been provided Ayushman card facilities, enabling their families to avail free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The remaining 15 lakh 83 thousand workers are also targeted to be covered under this scheme soon. Based on an average of 5 members per family, this initiative will benefit approximately 75 to 80 lakh people with health insurance.
He said, the government aims to extend direct benefits of this scheme to at least 1 crore worker families, that is about 5 crore people in Uttar Pradesh, which will prove to be a milestone in the history of labour welfare in the state.
While honoring meritorious students of the first batch of Atal Residential Schools, the Chief Minister added, "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the establishment of Atal Residential Schools in 2023 has set a new benchmark. These children have secured positions in the CBSE board merit list and have upheld the dignity of their parents' hard work. All worker brothers and sisters are the true architects of the Prime Minister's vision of building a new India."
He continues by saying, regardless of heat, cold, storms, or winds, every drop of sweat shed by workers gives the earth the power to yield gold. Earlier, it was a paradox that those workers who built homes, produced food, and constructed hospitals for others did not have houses themselves, their children suffered from hunger, and they lacked access to healthcare. But now, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, workers are receiving respect and dignity with the mantra of 'Shramev Jayate'.
Chief Minister said, the Prime Minister honored workers by washing their feet during the Mahakumbh and showering flowers on them in Ayodhya and Kashi, recognizing their dedication and labour. Due to this sensitivity, workers have now become a part of the government's agenda. Earlier, no one could imagine that a worker would own a permanent house. But in the last 12 years, more than 4 crore people in the country have received housing, including 65 lakh families in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Chief Minister Housing Scheme.
He stated, "Additionally, 12 crore toilets have been constructed across the country, including 2 crore 61 lakh families in Uttar Pradesh. Now even the poor can avail treatment in hospitals built by workers, as Ayushman Bharat provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. For the bright future of workers' children, Atal Residential Schools have been started, and today the foundation stone of a Chief Minister Composite School has been laid in Jewar. Worker families will no longer have to worry about gas, ration, housing, or healthcare facilities. Through the Ujjwala scheme, free ration, and other initiatives, the rights of the poor are being protected and their hard work is being truly respected."
Chief Minister added, earlier during disasters, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers would be crushed under debt, but now the government has ensured that compensation is given not only to landowners but also to sharecroppers and workers working on farms. Under the Chief Minister Farmers Accident Insurance Scheme, they are provided insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, and assistance ranging from Rs 700 to 1000 crore is provided annually to affected worker families.
CM Yogi said, "The one who stands with you during crises is your true well-wisher. During the COVID period, when opposition leaders stayed confined in their homes, the double engine government stood firmly with workers. We brought back lakhs of workers through 14,000 buses, arranged food and shelter for one crore workers, and provided free ration. The double engine government stands strongly with every section, from agricultural labourers to industrial workers, in any crisis."
Chief Minister said, after today's programme, Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar will travel to Gorakhpur, where he will personally welcome guests at the mass marriage ceremony of 200 daughters of workers. The government is running several schemes for the welfare of workers. One example is the establishment of Atal Residential Schools across 18 divisions of the state, where children of workers are provided quality education along with residential facilities. Experienced teachers have been appointed so that workers' children can become officers in the future.
He added, "In the last 9 years, 18,000 new industries have been established in Uttar Pradesh, providing employment to more than 65 lakh people. Once called a BIMARU state, Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as India's growth engine and an enterprise state. This is the result of workers' hard work, a better security environment, and the government's commitment." |
