Nutrition Boost: Gujarat Hikes Mountaineering Meal Allowance to Rs 350
Gujarat government increases daily meal allowance for mountaineering trainees from Rs 150 to Rs 350 to ensure better nutrition and fitness.
In a move to support the physical rigor and health of adventure enthusiasts, the Gujarat Government has announced a significant increase in the Gujarat mountaineering meal allowance. The state's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department has decided to raise the daily food subsidy for trainees and instructors participating in annual mountaineering camps, ensuring they receive the nutrition required for such a demanding sport.
A Substantial Jump in Daily Support
Mountaineering is far more than just a hobby; it is a grueling test of endurance, physical strength, and courage. Recognizing that young men and women spending hours navigating towering peaks and challenging rock formations require high-calorie, nutritious diets to maintain stamina, the government has stepped in to bridge the financial gap in meal costs.
The maximum daily meal allowance has been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 350 per person. This addition of Rs 200 per day is designed to provide better food facilities, directly impacting the health and overall performance of those undergoing training.
Impact on Training Centres
The decision will primarily benefit hundreds of trainees across the state's two premier mountaineering hubs. The financial implications for the state government are broken down as follows:
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Mountaineering Training Centre (Junagadh): With approximately 230 trainees participating annually, the government will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 3.40 lakh.
- State Mountaineering Institute (Mount Abu): This centre sees around 280 trainees every year, leading to an additional expenditure of Rs 7.70 lakh.
In total, the state government will spend an additional Rs 11.10 lakh annually to support the nutrition and enthusiasm of roughly 510 young adventurers.
Strengthening the Spirit of Adventure
These two centres, which operate under the Commissionerate of Youth Services and Cultural Activities, host more than 20 government and non-government training camps throughout the year. By enhancing the meal allowance, the state aims to make the training process more effective and accelerate the all-round development of its youth.
The government believes that this step will strengthen efforts to ensure the physical fitness of adventure enthusiasts, allowing them to focus on mastering the mountains without worrying about the quality of their sustenance.
Note: According to the official release, these revised rates are scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2027.