Inaugurating a 50-bed hospital for the workers covered under the Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIS), built at a cost of Rs 3.40 crore, Jatiya said more Central aid would be provided for further upgradation of such facilities for the workers and their families.

Referring to GAU, he said the Central Government was keen to encourage research in ayurvedic medicines for various diseases which modern drugs had failed to cure, and promised more Central aid for the purpose.

Health Minister Ashok Bhatt, who presided over the function, said that in the wake of rapid industrialisation in the district, the State Government was prepared to create more health and medical facilities for the workers and their families.

He urged the labour leaders and trade unions to spread awareness among the workers about the health hazards caused by the addiction of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

He said the State Government is ready to include both Reliance and Essar under the insurance policy and urged the Union Minister to take steps in this regard.

Referring to the of AIDS cases in the State, he said labourers from other States were spreading it and this trend needed to be checked.

About 15,000 workers in the region will benefit form the hospital for which the government has approved equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. Later, the Union Minister distributed cycles, sewing machines among lepers.