The Gujarat government has raised the monthly travel allowance for Gram Sevaks from ₹1,850 to ₹2,700. That is a hike of ₹850 a month, or about 46%. Around 2,900 Gram Sevaks working under the state’s Agriculture Department will benefit.
The decision was taken at a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. State government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani shared the details on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. So, why now, and what does it mean for Gujarat’s farmers? Here is the full story.
Quick answer: Gram Sevak travel allowance hike in Gujarat
- Old allowance: ₹1,850 per month
- New allowance: ₹2,700 per month
- Increase: ₹850 per month (about 46%)
- Who benefits: About 2,900 Gram Sevaks of the Agriculture Department
- Decided by: Gujarat Cabinet, chaired by CM Bhupendra Patel
- Announced: 21 October 2026, Gandhinagar
Gujarat Raises Gram Sevak Travel Allowance by ₹850
First, the core decision. Gram Sevaks will now get ₹2,700 a month to cover their field travel. Until now, they received ₹1,850.
The hike works out to ₹850 more every month. Over a year, that adds up to ₹10,200 extra for each Gram Sevak.
The government said the move responds to a request made by Gram Sevaks themselves. In addition, it pointed to their growing workload in the field. In short, the job has expanded, and the allowance had fallen behind.
The government has not yet announced the date from which the new rate applies. The formal government resolution (GR) is expected to spell this out. Gram Sevaks should watch for it from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.
Old vs New: The Numbers at a Glance
Here is a simple breakdown of what changes for each Gram Sevak.
| Detail | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly travel allowance | ₹1,850 | ₹2,700 |
| Yearly travel allowance | ₹22,200 | ₹32,400 |
| Extra per month | — | ₹850 |
| Extra per year | — | ₹10,200 |
| Approximate rise | — | 46% |
Yearly figures and percentage are Amdavad Gully calculations based on the announced monthly amounts.
The state has not shared the total cost of the decision. However, a rough estimate is possible. If all 2,900 Gram Sevaks receive ₹10,200 extra a year, the added cost comes to about ₹2.96 crore annually. This is our own calculation, not an official figure.
Who Are Gram Sevaks?
Gram Sevaks are village-level agriculture workers. They are the Agriculture Department’s frontline staff in rural Gujarat.
Put simply, they are often the first government face a farmer meets. When a farmer needs help with a scheme, a crop loss or a new farming method, the Gram Sevak is usually the starting point.
Each Gram Sevak covers a cluster of villages rather than a single one. According to the state government, a Gram Sevak typically handles four to five gram panchayats. In some areas, the load is even higher.
Because of this, travel is not an extra part of the job. It is the job. Most of their work happens in fields, village offices and farmers’ homes, not behind a desk.
Why the Gujarat Government Raised the Allowance
The state gave three main reasons for the hike.
1. A growing number of farmers
The government noted that the number of landholding farmers in Gujarat has kept rising. Land gets divided among family members over generations. As a result, there are more individual farmers, each needing records, surveys and scheme support.
2. More field responsibilities
Gram Sevaks now handle far more tasks than before. Digital surveys, e-KYC and disaster assessments have all been added to their workload. Each of these needs physical visits to villages and fields.
3. A request from Gram Sevaks
Notably, the government said the decision followed a demand from Gram Sevaks. Fuel and travel costs have risen over the years. Therefore, many felt the old allowance no longer matched real expenses on the ground.
What Gram Sevaks Do Every Day
The government’s announcement listed a wide range of duties. Together, they show why the travel load is so heavy.
- Digital crop surveys: Gram Sevaks record crop sowing and estimate production using mobile apps. This means visiting fields in person, season after season.
- PM-Kisan e-KYC: They help farmers complete e-KYC under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Without e-KYC, farmers can miss their instalments.
- Disaster surveys: After heavy rain or other natural disasters, they survey damaged fields. They also guide farmers on what to do next.
- Krushi Mahotsav and fairs: They help organise Krushi Mahotsavs and agricultural fairs, where farmers learn about new methods and schemes.
- MSP procurement: They reach out to farmers about minimum support price (MSP) procurement drives.
- Natural farming: They support the state’s natural farming campaign by spreading awareness in villages.
- Scheme access: They help farmers apply for government schemes and agricultural assistance.
In other words, almost every major farm scheme in Gujarat passes through a Gram Sevak at some point.
The Digital Shift Has Added to the Load
It might seem that digital tools would reduce travel. In practice, the opposite has often been true.
Take the digital crop survey. Earlier, crop records relied heavily on paperwork. Now, data is captured field by field on a mobile app. That improves accuracy. However, it also means someone must physically stand in each field.
Similarly, e-KYC for PM-Kisan requires verification for each farmer. Many farmers in remote villages need help with phones, OTPs or biometric checks. Consequently, Gram Sevaks often go door to door.
Disaster surveys add sudden, intense bursts of travel too. After heavy rain, damage must be recorded quickly so relief can reach farmers. During such weeks, Gram Sevaks may cover several villages in a single day.
What It Means for Farmers
The allowance goes to Gram Sevaks. Even so, farmers may feel the effect most.
Faster field visits: A better travel allowance can make it easier for Gram Sevaks to visit remote villages more often. That may mean quicker surveys and fewer delays.
Smoother scheme access: When e-KYC and records are done on time, farmers are less likely to miss payments. This matters most for small and marginal farmers who depend on schemes like PM-Kisan.
Quicker disaster relief: Crop loss surveys are the first step in getting compensation. Timely surveys can help relief reach affected farmers sooner.
Better guidance: Regular contact with a Gram Sevak helps farmers learn about natural farming, MSP drives and new support schemes.
Of course, a travel allowance alone does not fix every gap. Still, it removes one practical barrier to field work.
What It Means for Gram Sevaks
For the 2,900 Gram Sevaks, the change is direct and practical.
Most of them use their own two-wheelers to move between villages. Fuel, maintenance and wear on vehicles all come out of pocket. A higher allowance reduces that personal burden.
To put it in perspective, ₹2,700 a month is about ₹90 a day across 30 days. Over roughly 26 working days, it is closer to ₹104 per working day. For someone covering four or five panchayats, that money goes mostly towards fuel.
The hike also sends a signal. It shows the government recognises the field role of its frontline agriculture staff. For many Gram Sevaks, that recognition matters as much as the money.
Other Decisions From the Same Cabinet Meeting
The Gram Sevak decision was one of several announcements after the Cabinet meeting. Two others stand out.
Extra subsidy for rooftop solar
The state will give additional support under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. With this help, general-category households will pay about 10% of the system cost. SC and ST households will pay about 5%. More than 3 lakh families are expected to benefit, at an estimated cost of around ₹1,000 crore to the state.
More Shramik Annapurna centres
The Chief Minister also directed officials to open more Shramik Annapurna centres. These centres serve meals to labourers at subsidised rates. Locations will be decided based on local need and demand.
Also at the briefing, the government shared that Gujarat’s GST revenue rose 29% to ₹49,858 crore in the first half of FY 2026-27. That figure is a revenue update, not a Cabinet decision.
How Gram Sevaks Fit Into Gujarat’s Farm Push
Gujarat has leaned heavily on agriculture schemes in recent years. Natural farming, digital land and crop records, and online scheme portals are all part of this push.
For instance, farmers apply for many state schemes through the iKhedut portal. Meanwhile, central support such as PM-Kisan depends on accurate, verified farmer records.
However, an online portal only works if farmers can actually use it. That is where Gram Sevaks come in. They bridge the gap between a government website and a farmer standing in a field.
As a result, supporting Gram Sevaks is also a way of supporting these wider programmes. A scheme is only as good as its last-mile delivery.
What Happens Next
A few steps will follow before Gram Sevaks see the new amount.
- Government resolution: The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department is expected to issue a formal GR. It should confirm the effective date and the rules for claiming the allowance.
- District-level rollout: District agriculture offices will then apply the new rate in salary and allowance processing.
- Arrears question: Whether any arrears are paid will depend on the effective date in the GR.
Gram Sevaks can track official updates on the Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Co-operation Department website. State-level announcements also appear on the Government of Gujarat portal.
What Gram Sevaks Should Do Now
The Gram Sevak travel allowance hike is confirmed, but the paperwork is still on its way. Meanwhile, a few simple steps can help Gram Sevaks stay ready.
- Watch for the GR: Keep an eye on circulars from the district agriculture office. The GR will confirm the start date.
- Keep travel records: Maintain a clear log of village visits and surveys. Good records make allowance claims smoother.
- Check with your office: If the new amount does not reflect after the GR, raise it with the district agriculture officer.
- Rely on official sources: Trust only government circulars, not forwarded messages, for dates and amounts.
What Farmers Can Do
Farmers do not need to apply for anything because of this decision. Still, it is a good moment to stay in touch with your local Gram Sevak.
For example, check that your PM-Kisan e-KYC is complete. Also make sure your crop details were recorded in the latest digital survey. If your crops suffer damage after heavy rain, inform your Gram Sevak quickly. An early report gives your claim the best chance.
If you do not know your Gram Sevak, ask at your gram panchayat office or taluka agriculture office. They can share the contact details for your village.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the new travel allowance for Gram Sevaks in Gujarat?
The new travel allowance for Gram Sevaks in Gujarat is ₹2,700 per month. It was earlier ₹1,850 per month.
By how much has the Gram Sevak travel allowance increased?
The allowance has increased by ₹850 per month. That is a rise of about 46%, or ₹10,200 extra per year for each Gram Sevak.
How many Gram Sevaks will benefit from the hike?
About 2,900 Gram Sevaks working under Gujarat’s Agriculture Department will benefit from the increase.
When was the decision announced?
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Bhupendra Patel. Spokesperson minister Jitu Vaghani announced it in Gandhinagar on 21 October 2026.
Why did the Gujarat government raise the allowance?
The government cited Gram Sevaks’ growing field duties, the rising number of farmers and a request from Gram Sevaks. Each Gram Sevak usually covers four to five gram panchayats.
What are the main duties of a Gram Sevak?
Gram Sevaks run digital crop surveys, help with PM-Kisan e-KYC and survey crop damage after disasters. They also support Krushi Mahotsavs, MSP procurement, natural farming and scheme applications.
From when will the new allowance apply?
The effective date has not been announced yet. It is expected in the formal government resolution from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.
The Bottom Line
Gujarat’s decision to raise the Gram Sevak travel allowance to ₹2,700 is a small number with a wide reach. It directly helps about 2,900 field workers. Moreover, it supports the lakhs of farmers who depend on them for surveys, schemes and relief.
The real test will come in the field. If faster visits and smoother scheme access follow, farmers across Gujarat will feel the difference. Amdavad Gully will update this story once the official GR is out.
Sources: Government of Gujarat Cabinet briefing, Gandhinagar, 21 October 2026. Useful links: Agriculture Department, Gujarat; iKhedut portal; PM-Kisan; Government of Gujarat.