In a significant development, the mid-day meal scheme, which provided essential meals to construction workers in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) area, has come to an abrupt end. This decision follows instructions from the state labor department to halt construction work from November 1, raising concerns about the food supply for thousands of workers in the region. As the scheme’s termination leaves a void, there is uncertainty about the government’s plans for an alternative support system.
In recent years, the PCMC area has witnessed a surge in urbanization and industrialization, with a multitude of construction projects dotting the landscape. As a result, the construction industry has become a key player in the city’s economy, attracting skilled and unskilled laborers from various regions. Many of these workers come from outside the city and depend on nutritious mid-day meals to sustain them during their demanding workdays.
The Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board had previously allocated substantial funds to support the welfare of laborers. In February 2019, the board initiated a program to provide two meals a day to workers. Initially, the scheme was intended for registered workers but was later extended to include unregistered and naka workers during the pandemic. However, this initiative has now been suspended on the orders of the Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Vivek Kumbhar.
Criticism of the scheme had been brewing for some time, primarily focused on its limited coverage and the quality of the food provided. Some organizations suggested an alternative approach of directly depositing the meal amount into the workers’ accounts, bypassing the provision of meals. With the scheme’s termination, attention now turns to what steps the government will take to address the needs of these laborers.
The PCMC area, known for its substantial workforce, relies on thousands of construction workers to drive its ongoing projects. The discontinuation of the mid-day meal scheme has left a considerable number of workers at risk of food deprivation.
Kashinath Nakhate, a prominent labor leader, commented on the situation, saying, “The mid-day meal scheme has been a subject of controversy since its inception. Several organizations across the state reported discrepancies in worker numbers and subpar food quality. While we are pleased with the scheme’s termination, we continue to advocate for direct deposits into workers’ accounts to ensure their welfare.”
