**Policy Summary: Scheme for Grant of Rewards to the Children of Salt Labourers**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2755, concerning the Scheme for Grant of Rewards to the Children of Salt Labourers. The response, provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, addresses the estimated population of salt laborers, the number of beneficiaries under the scheme, and a review of the adequacy of financial support.
**Key Data:**
* **Estimated Salt Laborer Population (State-wise):**
* Andhra Pradesh: 5500
* West Bengal: 800
* Odisha: 500
* Tamil Nadu: 15500
* Rajasthan: 15000
* Gujarat: 20500
* Maharashtra: 2200
* Karnataka: 225
* **Beneficiaries Under the Scheme (State-wise and Year-wise):**
| State | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
| ---------------- | ------- | ------- | ------- | ------- | ------- |
| Andhra Pradesh | N/A | 193 | 142 | 321 | 303 |
| West Bengal | 0 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 8 |
| Odisha | 22 | 52 | 63 | 83 | N/A |
| Tamil Nadu | 290 | 373 | 623 | 438 | N/A |
| Rajasthan | 516 | 493 | 385 | 304 | N/A |
| Gujarat | 942 | 556 | 458 | 420 | N/A |
| Maharashtra | 22 | 9 | 16 | 7 | N/A |
| Karnataka | 16 | 22 | 10 | 10 | N/A |
| **Total** | 2009 | 1657 | 1896 | 1573 | N/A |
*Note:* For Odisha, the 2020-21 awards were sanctioned and disbursed. The data for 2024-25 is unavailable or not applicable (N/A) in the provided document for most states.
**Financial Support Review:**
* The government has not conducted a review of the adequacy of financial support under the scheme in light of rising education costs and inflation.
* There is no proposal to enhance the grant amount or expand the scheme's coverage.
**Contact:**
Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the designated contact. Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi originally posed the question.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for Grant of Rewards to the Children of Salt Labourers: A government initiative providing rewards/financial support to children of salt labourers.
KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI: Member of Parliament (MP) who raised the question about the scheme in Lok Sabha.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who provided the answer to the question.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the salt producing states with an estimated 5500 salt labourers.
West Bengal: One of the salt producing states with an estimated 800 salt labourers.
Odisha: One of the salt producing states with an estimated 500 salt labourers.
Tamilnadu: One of the salt producing states with an estimated 15500 salt labourers.
Gujarat: One of the salt producing states with an estimated 20500 salt labourers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2755.
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 05TH AUGUST, 2025.
SCHEME FOR GRANT OF REWARDS TO THE CHILDREN OF
SALT LABOURERS
2755. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री
(a) the estimated population of salt labourers in each State, particularly in salt-
producing regions;
(b) the number of beneficiaries under the Scheme for Grant of Rewards to the
Children of Salt Labourers during the last five years, State and year-wise;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any review of the adequacy of financial
support under the said scheme in light of rising costs of education and inflation;
and
(d) if so, whether there is any proposal to enhance the grant amount or expand the
scheme's coverage, and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a): The estimated population of salt labourers in salt producing States are as
under:
S. State Estimated number of Salt
No. Labourers
1. Andhra 5500
Pradesh
2. West Bengal 800
3. Odisha 500
4. Tamilnadu 15500
5. Rajasthan 15000
6. Gujarat 20500
7. Maharashtra 2200
8. Karnataka 225(b): The number of beneficiaries under the Scheme for 'Grant of Rewards to the
Children of Salt Labourers' during the last five years, State-wise and year-wise,
are as under:
State 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Andhra Pradesh No award 193 142 321 303
West Bengal was sanctioned 08 10 20 08
Odisha and disbursed 22 52 63 83
during 2020-21
Tamilnadu 290 373 623 438
due to COVID
Rajasthan 516 493 385 304
Gujarat 942 556 458 420
Maharashtra 22 9 16 7
Karnataka 16 22 10 10
TOTAL 2009 1657 1896 1573
(c): No.
(d): Does not arise.
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