IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 4137 of 2024 ==========================================================

PEOPLES TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTRE & ORS.

Versus THE STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

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Appearance:

MR. VEDANT RAJGURU, ADVOCATE FOR MR AJ YAGNIK(1372) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,2,20,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 MS. HETAL PATEL, AGP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 NOTICE SERVED for the Respondent(s) No.

10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 ========================================================== CORAM:HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MRS. JUSTICE SUNITA AGARWAL and HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.N.RAY Date : 30/03/2026

ORAL ORDER

(PER : HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MRS. JUSTICE SUNITA AGARWAL)

1. It seems that pursuant to the order dated 12.01.2026, a further affidavit dated 18.02.2026 of the Secretary, Labour, Skill Development & Employment Department, Government of Gujarat was filed and considered by this Court on the date fixed i.e. 16.02.2026 itself, when it was deliberated that reference to various schemes of the State Government to provide relief to the dependents of the deceased, as well as surviving Silicosis affected persons, who are incapable of undertaking any employment, would not serve the purpose. It was noted that to avail benefits or financial assistance under different scheme, one set of persons would be required to approach different authorities under different jurisdictions at the same time, that may not only create conflicting situations with regard to the claims made by such persons but would also be too complex.

2. We, therefore, observed orally during the course of the arguments made on 16.02.2026 by the learned Advocate General appearing for the State-respondents that there is need to prepare a comprehensive scheme to grant benefits to dependents of both deceased as well as surviving Silicosis affected persons, who are incapable of undertaking any employment, not only in the shape of ex-gratia but also for the assistance to widows, children by providing employment, education etc.

3. No response of the State-respondents has been received so far.

4. To answer all these queries, as prayed by Ms.Hetal Patel, learned Assistant Government Pleader for the State- respondents, the matter is posted on 28.04.2026 to enable the respondents to deliberate on the policies of the other State brought on record and to make a comprehensive scheme including all benefits to eligible persons.

5. There was also a discussion with regard to the corrections to be incorporated in the application form which refers to requirement of indicating employment in one stone (Akic) quarries, only. The submissions of the learned Counsel for the petitioners are that this would exclude other Silicosis affected persons, who are engaged in other types of stone crushing units. The response of the respondents is needed on this aspect as well.

6. There is also no response to the categorical directions given in paragraph No. ‘9’ of the order dated 12.01.2026 for due publication of the policy in the entire State, by taking effective steps by the competent authority.

As prayed, put up on 28.04.2026.

(SUNITA AGARWAL, CJ )

(D.N.RAY,J)

BINA SHAH