Welfare of Mandi Workers Advancing Through Chief Minister’s Sensitivity

Sri Ganganagar: Owing to the sensitivity of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, welfare schemes are reaching not only various sections of society but also workers engaged in agricultural produce market committees. Under this initiative, labourers are benefiting from the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandi Shramik Kalyan Yojana, operated by the Rajasthan State Agricultural Marketing Department.

During the current tenure of the state government, a total of 1,969 workers—including hamals, weighmen, and loaders—have received financial assistance amounting to ₹863 lakh through mandi committees.

Under the scheme, native residents of Rajasthan working in agricultural produce market committees as licensed hamals, palladars, and weighmen—who have worked for at least three years with a minimum annual earning of ₹10,000 and are up to 60 years of age—are eligible to apply online via the Raj Kisan Portal using their Jan Aadhaar. Benefits such as maternity assistance, marriage support, scholarships, and medical aid are provided through the respective mandi committees.

Maternity Assistance:
Female licensed workers are eligible for financial assistance equivalent to 45 days of wages (as per prevailing unskilled labour rates) for up to two childbirths. Additionally, fathers are provided paternity support equivalent to 15 days of wages. Applications must be submitted within three months of childbirth.

Marriage Assistance:
As announced in the state budget by the Chief Minister, financial assistance of ₹75,000 per marriage is provided—either for the marriage of a licensed female worker or for up to two daughters of a licensed worker. Applications can be submitted from 10 days before the marriage up to three months afterward. If two daughters are married at the same time, assistance for both marriages is granted.

Scholarship / Merit Awards:
Children of licensed mandi workers studying from Class 10 to postgraduate level and securing first division are eligible for merit scholarships (for up to two children).

• Class 10: ₹3,000 (boys) and ₹3,500 (girls) for above 80%; ₹2,000 (boys) and ₹2,500 (girls) for 70–80%.
• Class 12: ₹5,000 (boys) and ₹6,000 (girls) for above 90%; ₹4,000 (boys) and ₹5,000 (girls) for 80–90%; ₹3,000 (boys) and ₹4,000 (girls) for 70–80%.
• Graduation: ₹4,000 (boys) and ₹5,000 (girls) for above 60%.
• Postgraduation: ₹5,000 (boys) and ₹6,000 (girls) for above 60%.
  Applications must be submitted within three months of eligibility.

Medical Assistance:
In case of serious illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, liver, or kidney-related diseases, workers can receive reimbursement of medical expenses up to ₹20,000 for treatment in government hospitals or state-authorized hospitals. Applications must be submitted within six months of hospital discharge.

Applications under the scheme are submitted directly to mandi committees, where they are processed by a designated committee as per prescribed procedures. Approved financial assistance is disbursed directly to beneficiaries by the mandi committee. The scheme is implemented online through the Raj Kisan Portal via mandi committees.