(Deleting matter in first para)

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) The Gujarat government has been appreciated by Supreme Court for the ''sincere'' efforts undertaken by it for the welfare of the salt workers in the state.

Disposing of a writ petition, the apex court, in view of the status report filed by the state government, observed that the state was sincere towards ensuring housing, health, drinking water and education for the workers' children.

In a status report filed by state Deputy Labour Secretary K B Vasava, the state government submitted there were 59 'Balwadis' for the children of salt workers run by the government in collaboration with an NGO, 21 mobile medical vans, Rs 48 lakh have been sanctioned for 3 mobile fair price shops to provide ration, Rs 593.32 lakh for drinking water in the districts in which the workers were residing.

Under the Namak Awas Yojana 417 houses have already been constructed while work on 1219 was on. Additional amount was being sanctioned for school and uniforms to the children, the report said.

In a judgement on May 19, a bench comprising Mr Justice A R Lakshamanan and Mr Justice Lokeshwar Panta disposed the writ petition filed by one Narender Malav pleading for court directions to improve the lot of salt workers in the Kachch district of Gujarat.

UNI AKS/SC YA KN1836