Declare heatwaves as State-specific disaster, provide ex-gratia to affected labourers: Letter to Gujarat CM

Counterview Desk

In a representation to Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat chief minister, Vipul Pandya, general secretary, Bandhkam Mazdoor Sangathan, has said that heatwaves should be declared as State-specific disaster, insisting on the need to undertake relief measures and provide ex-gratia to affected labourers and citizens. Text:

***

We write to you with deep concern regarding the escalating impact of extreme heatwaves across Gujarat, which are posing a serious threat to the health, livelihood, and lives of citizens—especially daily-wage earners, migrant labourers, construction workers, street vendors, gig workers, and other vulnerable communities exposed to prolonged outdoor conditions.

Extreme heat is no longer merely an environmental issue—it has become a growing humanitarian crisis. With the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves due to climate change, Gujarat is now facing life-threatening conditions such as heat stress, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even fatal heatstroke.

Following the deadly 2010 heatwave in Ahmedabad that led to 1,344 excess deaths, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) introduced India’s first Heat Action Plan (HAP) in 2013. However, this year, the AMC delayed activation of its HAP until after a red alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on March 10. Although the plan includes measures like providing ORS at public transport points, water kiosks, suspension of construction activities from 12 PM to 4 PM, and extended public garden hours, implementation has been limited and remains largely confined to urban areas.

In May 2024, Gujarat witnessed one of its longest and most intense heatwaves in recent memory, with temperatures in Ahmedabad ranging between 44°C and 46°C over several consecutive days. While advisories were issued, field assessments and on-ground enforcement reveal a glaring gap in protective measures.

Bandhkam Mazdoor Sangathan has observed serious violations at most construction sites across Ahmedabad City, collectively employing around 2,00,000 workers, despite repeated red alerts from the IMD and government advisories, most sites continued to operate during peak noon hours without mandated rest breaks, shaded rest areas, or access to clean drinking water—putting thousands of workers at severe risk daily.

In light of the above, we urgently request the Government of Gujarat to take the following immediate and long-term measures:

1. Declare Heatwaves as a “State-Specific Disaster” under the Disaster Management Act

- This will facilitate timely, structured response planning and ensure proper allocation of resources through the State Disaster Response Mitigation Fund (SDRMF).

- As per Paragraph 8.143 of the 15th Finance Commission Report, heatwaves are now recognized under the national disaster framework, making them eligible for financial assistance under SDRMF and the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

- States are permitted to utilize up to 10% of their annual SDRF allocation for heatwave relief, subject to prescribed conditions.

2. Provide Ex Gratia Compensation for Heatwave-related Deaths

- Announce an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of all individuals—including citizens, workers, and emergency personnel—who lose their lives due to heat-related illnesses.

- States like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have already established this precedent in recent years, showing the path forward for Gujarat.

3. Ensure Worker Safety through Urgent Protective Measures

- Enforce mandatory rest breaks for all outdoor workers between 12 PM to 4 PM during heatwave days.

- Facilitate free and widespread distribution of ORS, drinking water, shaded rest shelters, and mobile water supply units at construction and street-level work sites.

- Arrange for emergency medical aid, health camps, and ensure temporary health insurance coverage for labourers exposed to outdoor work during peak heat periods.

4. Strengthen Public Awareness and Community Engagement

- Disseminate real-time heat alerts and multilingual advisories using radio, mobile alerts, and local channels.

- Partner with NGOs, community-based organisations, and ward-level committees to ensure last-mile outreach, especially in labourer-dense areas and urban slums.

Gujarat has historically demonstrated leadership in climate resilience and heatwave preparedness. We urge your esteemed office to reinforce that legacy through urgent, compassionate, and science-driven interventions that prioritize the lives and dignity of our most vulnerable citizens.

We would be grateful for the opportunity to meet and discuss this matter further, and remain available for any support required in reaching out to affected communities and ensuring effective implementation.

Comments

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog