Gujarat Shramik Annapurna Yojana: Meal for Rs. 5

The Shramik Annapurna Yojana provides nutritious meals to registered construction workers and their families in Gujarat for just ₹5 per person. The Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board runs the scheme. Following the October 2026 expansion, workers can access meals at 394 centres across all 34 districts. Eligible construction sites can also request doorstep meal delivery.

Gujarat Shramik Annapurna Yojana Highlights
Scheme NameShramik Annapurna Yojana
Launch Year2017 (relaunched in October 2022)
Implementing DepartmentLabour, Skill Development and Employment Department
Implementing BodyGujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board
Meal Price₹5 per person
Meal MenuRoti, sabzi, dal, rice, pickle, chilli and jaggery, with sweets served once a week
Eligible BeneficiariesRegistered construction workers and their family members
Required Documente-Nirman Card
Workers Without an e-Nirman CardTemporary registration with meals available for up to 15 days
Doorstep Meal DeliveryAvailable at construction sites where at least 50 workers opt for the service
Total Meal Centres394 centres across all 34 districts of Gujarat
Daily Meal TargetApproximately 45,000 meals
Total Meals ServedMore than 5 crore
Registration Portale-Nirman Portal

Introduction of Gujarat Shramik Annapurna Yojana: A Brief Insight

Every morning, thousands of construction workers gather at kadiyanakas across Gujarat, hoping to find work for the day. Many struggle to afford a proper meal because buying food outside can reduce their daily earnings. The Shramik Annapurna Yojana aims to solve this problem by helping workers get a filling meal without spending much money.

The scheme was first launched in 2017 under the then Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and relaunched in October 2022 at a lower price. The Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board runs the scheme under the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department. Its main aim is to provide affordable, nutritious meals to construction workers and their families.

Under this scheme, workers can get a complete meal of roti, sabzi, dal, rice, pickle, chilli and jaggery for just ₹5. The menu also includes sweets once a week. Workers can eat at the centre or take their meals away in a tiffin. Construction sites with at least 50 workers who want to use the service can also request doorstep meal delivery.

On 16 October 2026, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel opened 101 new centres, taking the total to 394 centres across all 34 districts of Gujarat. The scheme also aims to provide around 45,000 meals every day.

Construction workers registered with the Welfare Board and their family members can get meals by showing their e-Nirman Card. Workers who do not have a card can request temporary registration at a centre and receive meals for up to 15 days while completing their regular registration.

Workers can register through the e-Nirman portal or mobile app. They can also visit a Common Service Centre, an e-Gram Centre or a Dhanvantari Arogya Rath for help with registration. For assistance with meals, they can contact the staff at their nearest Shramik Annapurna centre.

Construction workers in Gujarat can also explore affordable housing near their workplace under the Shramik Basera Yojana. Skilled workers in traditional trades may receive toolkits and access loans under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Family members who want to start a small street business can also explore working capital loans under the PM SVANidhi Scheme.

Workers, their families and other readers can explore more welfare programmes offered by the Gujarat Government on our Gujarat Government Welfare Schemes page.

101 New Annapurna Centres Opened on 16 October 2026

  • Statewide Launch: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel opened 101 new Shramik Annapurna centres across 28 districts under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, and served meals to workers at Chanakyapuri in Ahmedabad.
  • Wider Reach: The scheme now runs at 394 centres in all 34 districts, up from 293 centres in 20 districts.
  • More Meals Daily: Daily distribution is set to rise from about 35,000 to nearly 45,000 meals.
  • Track Record: More than 5 crore meals have been served so far, including about 27 lakh at construction sites.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Shramik Annapurna Yojana helps construction workers in Gujarat get a filling meal at an affordable price. Workers pay just ₹5 per meal, while the State Government covers the remaining cost.

  • A complete meal for just ₹5 per person.
  • A regular menu featuring roti, sabzi, dal, rice, pickle, chilli and jaggery.
  • Weekly sweets such as sukhdi or sheera.
  • Meal facilities for the family members of registered construction workers.
  • The option to eat at an approved centre or take the meal away in a tiffin.
  • Doorstep meal delivery at construction sites where at least 50 workers opt for the service.
  • A network of 394 meal centres across all 34 districts of Gujarat.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Shramik Annapurna Yojana provides affordable meals to construction workers in Gujarat. Workers who build houses, roads and bridges or look for daily work at construction labour points can check the following conditions to find out if they qualify for a meal at Rs. 5.

  • Must be a construction worker registered with the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
  • Must have a valid e-Nirman Card.
  • Family members of registered construction workers can also receive meals.
  • Workers who do not have an e-Nirman Card can obtain temporary registration at an approved centre and receive meals for up to 15 days.
  • Can receive meals only at Board-approved Shramik Annapurna centres or eligible construction sites.
  • For doorstep meal delivery, at least 50 workers at the construction site must opt for the service.

Documents Required to be Attached

A ₹5 meal under the Shramik Annapurna Yojana does not need any form or file. Your e-Nirman Card is the key, and a few basic details help if you are new or collecting food for family.

  • e-Nirman Card issued by the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board
  • Aadhaar Card used during e-Nirman registration
  • Mobile number registered with your e-Nirman Card
  • Proof of family relationship, if a family member collects the meal on your behalf
  • Basic identity details for temporary registration, if you do not have an e-Nirman Card yet

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme

You do not need to fill out a separate form to get a meal for ₹5 under the Shramik Annapurna Yojana. If you are a registered construction worker and have an e-Nirman Card, you can visit an approved Shramik Annapurna centre to get your meal. Follow these simple steps to get started.

Step 1: Get Your e-Nirman Card

Step 1: Register yourself as a construction worker through the e-Nirman portal or the e-Nirman mobile app.

Step 2: If you need help with registration, visit a Common Service Centre, an e-Gram Centre or a Dhanvantari Arogya Rath.

Step 3: Provide your details, Aadhaar Card and mobile number to complete the registration process.

Step 4: Once the authorities approve your registration, download your e-Nirman Card or collect it through the available process. Make sure your card has its QR code.

Step 2: Get Your Meal at a Centre

Step 1: Visit the nearest Shramik Annapurna centre at a kadiyanaka or labour point.

Step 2: Show your e-Nirman Card to the staff so they can scan its QR code and check your registration.

Step 3: Pay ₹5 for each meal you need.

Step 4: Enjoy your meal at the centre or take it away in a tiffin.

No e-Nirman Card Yet?

Step 1: Tell the staff at the Shramik Annapurna centre that you work in construction but do not have an e-Nirman Card yet.

Step 2: Ask the staff to help you complete the temporary registration process at the centre.

Step 3: Under the stated provision, you can receive meals for up to 15 days through temporary registration. Use this time to complete your regular e-Nirman registration.

Want Meals at Your Construction Site?

Step 1: Check whether at least 50 workers at your construction site want to receive meals there.

Step 2: Ask your contractor or site supervisor to contact the Board and enquire about doorstep meal delivery.

Step 3: Once the service starts at your site, show your e-Nirman Card and pay ₹5 for each meal you receive.

Important: You can get meals only at centres approved by the Board. To explore other welfare schemes for construction workers, visit the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board schemes page.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

  • Implementing Body: Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Gandhinagar
  • Department: Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, Government of Gujarat
  • Local Help: Staff at your nearest Shramik Annapurna centre or Common Service Centre

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Shramik Annapurna Yojana?

Ans. The Shramik Annapurna Yojana is a Gujarat Government scheme that provides a nutritious, cooked meal to registered construction workers and their family members for just ₹5 per meal.

Q. Which department runs the Shramik Annapurna Yojana?

Ans. The Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board runs the scheme under the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department.

Q. When did the Shramik Annapurna Yojana start?

Ans. The scheme started in 2017, when workers paid ₹10 per meal. The government relaunched it in October 2022 and reduced the meal price to ₹5.

Q. What food do workers get under the scheme?

Ans. Workers get roti, sabzi, dal, rice, pickle, chilli and jaggery. The menu also includes sukhdi or sheera once a week.

Q. Can my family members also get meals for ₹5?

Ans. Yes. Family members of registered construction workers can also get meals under the scheme for ₹5 per person.

Q. Do I need an e-Nirman Card to get a meal?

Ans. Yes, an e-Nirman Card helps the staff verify your registration. If you do not have a card, you can ask for temporary registration at an approved centre and receive meals for up to 15 days while completing your regular registration.

Q. How can I get an e-Nirman Card?

Ans. You can register as a construction worker through the e-Nirman portal or the e-Nirman mobile app. You can also seek help at a Common Service Centre, an e-Gram Centre or a Dhanvantari Arogya Rath.

Q. Can I get meals delivered to my construction site?

Ans. Yes. You can ask your contractor or site supervisor to contact the Board about meal delivery if at least 50 workers at your construction site want to use the service.

Q. How many Shramik Annapurna centres operate in Gujarat?

Ans. According to the figures provided for the scheme, Gujarat has 394 Shramik Annapurna centres across all 34 districts following the expansion on 16 October 2026.

Q. How many meals does the scheme aim to serve each day?

Ans. The scheme aims to serve around 45,000 meals every day, compared with approximately 35,000 meals before the expansion.

Q. Do workers get meals for free?

Ans. No. Workers pay ₹5 per meal, and the Board covers the remaining cost.

Q. Can I take my meal away from the centre?

Ans. Yes. You can eat your meal at the centre or take it away in a tiffin.

Q. Is the Shramik Annapurna Yojana the same as the National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration scheme?

Ans. No. The two serve different purposes. The NFSA provides food grains to eligible households, while the Shramik Annapurna Yojana provides cooked meals to eligible construction workers and their families for ₹5.

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