Healthcare, education and water supply failures hit Gujarat salt workers hard: CAG, PAC reports

By A Representative 

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly have raised serious concerns over the poor implementation of welfare schemes meant for the Agariya community in the salt-producing regions of the state. The PAC’s fifth report, based on CAG’s audit observations, points to major deficiencies in health services, education, nutrition, water supply, and inter-departmental coordination.

According to the audit, health facilities in the salt belt remain grossly inadequate, with Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and sub-centres lacking sufficient doctors, staff, and medicines. This has denied the community access to essential healthcare. Educational facilities, including schools and hostels, have also not been developed or maintained as planned, while many seasonal schools in Kutch, Morbi, and coastal areas fail to function regularly. Children of migrant salt workers are particularly deprived of education, underscoring the need for a coordinated government resolution.

The report also flagged irregularities in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), noting poor quality of nutrition, lack of transparency in distribution of Take Home Rations, and failure to provide proper maternal and child health services. Anganwadi workers were often not appointed or trained on time, leaving women and children without critical support.

Water scarcity remains another major problem, with the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board failing to ensure a regular supply of safe drinking water. Many salt workers continue to depend on saline water, causing serious health issues. In most cases, water tankers arrive only once in 20 days, far short of the requirement.

The audit also revealed poor coordination between key government departments, including the Industries Department, Ayushman Bharat Mission, and ICDS, which has prevented schemes from reaching the intended beneficiaries.

While government departments have admitted to several shortcomings, they assured that corrective measures are underway, such as deploying Mobile Health Units, expediting doctor appointments, improving ICDS implementation, and accelerating water supply projects.

The PAC, however, has recommended stronger action, including a clear time-bound action plan, better inter-departmental coordination, strict monitoring at both state and district levels, and full transparency in the use of funds. It also stressed the need for immediate corrective measures to address urgent requirements in healthcare, education, nutrition, and water supply for the Agariya community.

The findings underline that despite numerous welfare schemes, the Agariyas remain one of the most neglected sections, deprived of basic facilities. The PAC’s recommendations, if implemented sincerely, could provide long-overdue relief, but the matter is expected to spark further debate in the Assembly in the coming days.