MP govt transfers ₹600 crore to 27,000 labourers' families, launches Shram Star rating
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh transferred ₹600 crore to over 27,000 labourers' families in a single digital click — and went further by folding gig workers into the Sambal scheme for the first time. The new Shram Star factory rating system adds a market-incentive layer to compliance, a model few Indian states have attempted at scale.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Yadav digitally transferred ₹600 crore to over 27,000 labourers' families under the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana on 29 April 2025 in Bhopal.
3,529 gig workers are now eligible for social security benefits — a historic first for Madhya Pradesh.
The new Shram Star Rating system has 554 factories enrolled voluntarily, rating them on labour law compliance and worker safety.
Since 2018 , the Sambal scheme has enrolled over 1.8 crore workers with total disbursements exceeding ₹7,720 crore .
MP is preparing to align state labour regulations with the four central Labour Codes .
Districts Balaghat , Dhar , Sagar , Jabalpur , and Khargone were lauded for scheme implementation.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday, 29 April executed a single-click digital transfer of ₹600 crore in ex gratia assistance to the bank accounts of over 27,000 labourers' families under the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana, at a high-profile event in Bhopal. The disbursement, one of the largest single-day direct transfers in the state's labour welfare history, also marked the formal extension of the scheme to gig and platform workers for the first time.
Key Announcements at the Bhopal Event
Chief Minister Yadav confirmed that 3,529 gig workers — employed in delivery, logistics, and digital service platforms — are now eligible for social security benefits under the expanded Sambal scheme. He stressed that enrolling every eligible unorganised-sector worker under state protection is a collective responsibility. The inclusion of gig workers marks a historic first for Madhya Pradesh, reflecting a broader national push to bring platform workers within the ambit of formal welfare frameworks.
Shram Star Rating System Introduced
A significant policy innovation unveiled at the event was the Shram Star Rating system — a voluntary mechanism that evaluates industrial establishments on their adherence to labour laws and commitment to worker health and safety. As of now, 554 factories have voluntarily enrolled in the system. Chief Minister Yadav urged consumers and labour organisations to actively prefer goods and services from high-rated establishments, effectively creating a market incentive for ethical employment practices. The rating system is designed to enhance business credibility while simultaneously pushing factories toward better compliance.
Sambal Scheme: Scale and Cumulative Impact
Labour Minister Prahlad Singh Patel noted that since the Sambal scheme's inception in 2018, over 1.8 crore workers have been enrolled, with total disbursements now exceeding ₹7,720 crore. Districts including Balaghat, Dhar, Sagar, Jabalpur, and Khargone were specifically recognised for exemplary performance in implementing welfare schemes at the ground level.
Alignment with Central Labour Codes
The Madhya Pradesh government is also preparing to align its state labour regulations with the four new Labour Codes introduced by the Central Government. These codes, which consolidate dozens of legacy labour laws, are expected to streamline worker rights, simplify compliance for employers, and expand social security coverage. The state's preparatory steps indicate a likely rollout of aligned regulations in the near term, though no specific timeline was announced at Thursday's event.
With gig worker inclusion, a new factory rating system, and alignment with central labour codes all moving simultaneously, Madhya Pradesh is positioning itself as a frontrunner in labour welfare reform — the real test will be whether scheme coverage translates into timely and verifiable on-ground delivery.
Point of View
But 3,529 enrolled gig workers is a modest number against a platform economy that likely runs into lakhs in Madhya Pradesh alone. The Shram Star rating is an interesting market-nudge mechanism, but voluntary participation by 554 factories means the bulk of the industrial base remains outside its ambit. The bigger question is enforcement: welfare disbursements are visible and politically rewarding, but whether registered workers actually receive timely benefits in distress situations — and whether the new Labour Code alignment will simplify or further complicate compliance for small employers — will define whether these announcements move beyond headline numbers.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana?
The Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana is a Madhya Pradesh government scheme that provides social security and ex gratia financial assistance to workers in the unorganised sector. Since its launch in 2018, it has enrolled over 1.8 crore workers and disbursed more than ₹7,720 crore in total benefits.
Who received the ₹600 crore transferred by CM Mohan Yadav?
The ₹600 crore was transferred directly into the bank accounts of over 27,000 labourers' families in Madhya Pradesh on 29 April 2025, as ex gratia assistance under the Sambal Yojana. The transfer was executed via a single-click digital transaction at an event in Bhopal.
What is the Shram Star Rating system in Madhya Pradesh?
The Shram Star Rating is a voluntary system introduced by the MP government to evaluate industrial establishments on their compliance with labour laws and commitment to worker health and safety. Currently, 554 factories have enrolled, and the government is encouraging consumers to prefer products from high-rated establishments to create market incentives for ethical employment.
Are gig workers now covered under Madhya Pradesh's labour welfare schemes?
Yes, for the first time in the state's history, gig and platform workers are now eligible for social security benefits under the expanded Sambal scheme. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed that 3,529 gig workers have been identified as eligible for these benefits.
How is Madhya Pradesh aligning with the central Labour Codes?
The MP government is preparing to align its state labour regulations with the four new Labour Codes introduced by the Centre, which consolidate dozens of legacy labour laws. No specific implementation timeline was announced at the 29 April event, but the state signalled active preparatory steps.
