- Respect for workers, social security, and a bright future for their families are our government’s priorities: Chief Minister Sai
- Chief Minister makes three significant announcements for the welfare of workers at the state-level workers’ convention on Vishwakarma Jayanti
- Modern worker facilitation centers equipped with all amenities to be built in cities; e-bike assistance scheme to be launched for registered workers
- Unorganized sector rickshaw pullers to receive ₹1 lakh (up from ₹50,000) in assistance for purchasing e-rickshaws
- Financial assistance totaling over ₹51.32 crore transferred to the accounts of more than 1.43 lakh workers
- 100 ‘Shramik Didis’ (women workers) receive e-rickshaw keys; Chief Minister flags off the vehicles
- Government to bear the entire cost of engineering education for Maninder Kaur, the talented daughter of a worker’s family
- Chief Minister shares a meal with women workers and engages in a heartfelt dialogue to inquire about their families’ well-being
- Chief Minister lights the ‘Lamp of Blessings’ alongside thousands of workers on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the ‘Shramveers’ (labor heroes) of Chhattisgarh are scripting a new chapter in the creation of a prosperous and developed state through their hard work, dedication, and sweat. From rural fields and threshing grounds to urban high-rises, and from the construction of roads, bridges, and irrigation projects to industries and infrastructure, the toil of our worker brothers and sisters is embedded in every aspect of the state’s progress. The new benchmarks of development Chhattisgarh has achieved in the 25 years since its formation owe a great deal to these hardworking hands. It is these very hands that will realize the resolve of a developed Chhattisgarh in the years to come.
Chief Minister Sai was addressing the state-level workers’ convention organized on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti at the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in the capital, Raipur. He extended warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti to the thousands of worker brothers and sisters who had gathered from across the state, and prayed to Lord Vishwakarma for the happiness, peace, prosperity, and continuous progress of Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister stated that Lord Vishwakarma is the revered deity of construction and creation. He inspires us to respect labor and take pride in our skills. In the true sense, our worker brothers and sisters are the ‘Vishwakarmas’ (architects/builders) of a developed Chhattisgarh. The state government is committed to respecting the hard work of laborers while ensuring security, convenience, and prosperity in their lives.
He remarked that his government holds a clear vision: the benefits of development must reach the very workers whose labor lays the foundation for that progress. Ensuring workers receive due respect for their toil, assurance of social security, financial empowerment for their families, and equal opportunities for their children to advance—with these objectives, the government is continuously expanding welfare schemes for workers.
- Three Major Announcements by the Chief Minister for Workers’ Welfare
At the state-level workers’ convention, Chief Minister Shri Sai made three significant announcements aimed at enhancing convenience, facilitating commuting, and promoting self-employment for worker brothers and sisters.
The Chief Minister announced the establishment of modern, well-equipped ‘Worker Facilitation Centers’ in cities for laborers who gather at various locations in search of employment. These centers will provide proper seating arrangements, clean drinking water, mobile charging points, and other essential basic amenities. This initiative will offer a dignified and convenient space for workers arriving in cities to seek work.
The Chief Minister also announced the launch of an ‘E-Bike Assistance Scheme’ to facilitate commuting and provide financial empowerment to registered workers. He noted that for workers who travel long distances daily for work, commuting facilities are directly linked to their livelihoods and the ease of their daily lives.
Chief Minister Shri Sai further announced an increase in the financial assistance provided to unorganized sector rickshaw pullers for purchasing e-rickshaws—raising the amount from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. He stated that this move would assist traditional rickshaw pullers in adopting modern modes of transport, increasing their income, and strengthening their self-employment endeavors. The Chief Minister stated that the government’s goal is not merely to provide financial assistance but to bring about lasting, positive changes in the lives of workers and their families. The government prioritizes building empowered worker families by ensuring social security for workers, quality education for their children, self-reliance for women, and opportunities for advancement for the youth.
- Benefits worth over ₹51.32 crore for more than 1.43 lakh workers
At the grand convention, Chief Minister Shri Sai transferred financial assistance totaling over ₹51.32 crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 1.43 lakh workers via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). This assistance was provided under 26 schemes administered by various boards of the Labour Department. He also distributed financial aid and materials to beneficiaries of various worker welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister noted that 67 types of welfare schemes are currently being implemented in the state for registered workers through the Labour Department’s three boards. These schemes serve as a source of support for worker families at various stages of life—ranging from social security and children’s education to marriage assistance and economic empowerment.He stated that over the past two and a half years, the state government has disbursed more than ₹1,000 crore to workers through various labor welfare schemes. He urged all eligible workers in the state to register with the Labor Department and maximize the benefits of these schemes.
- Giving Wings to the Dreams of Workers’ Children: Embracing the Spirit of ‘Shramev Jayate’
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that, upholding the core principle of ‘Shramev Jayate’ (Labor Triumphs), the state government is ensuring that a lack of resources does not hinder the dreams of talented children from worker families. The government is working with the resolve that a worker’s child should also study in the country’s best schools, pursue higher education, and soar to great heights in life through their own talent.
The Chief Minister mentioned that under the ‘Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana,’ talented children from worker families are being provided free, high-quality education in prestigious private residential schools. While 100 children benefited from the scheme in its first year, this number has now been increased to 200. The entire cost of these students’ education is being borne by the Labor Department.
He added that incentive amounts are also being awarded to children from worker families who excel in the 10th and 12th-grade examinations. Furthermore, the government is supporting eligible students in pursuing higher education.
- Maninder’s Success Becomes an Inspiration for Children of Worker Families
A heartwarming moment occurred during the grand convention when Chief Minister Shri Sai presented a laptop and a cheque for ₹1.75 lakh to Maninder Kaur, a talented daughter from a worker family. Through her talent and hard work, Maninder cleared the JEE examination and secured admission to NIT Surat. The entire cost of her engineering education will now be covered by the Labor Department.
While wishing Maninder a bright future, the Chief Minister remarked that this success is not merely the achievement of one daughter but an inspiration for the children of lakhs of worker families across the state. He affirmed that the government would provide all possible support to ensure that financial circumstances do not limit the flight of talent. The Chief Minister stated that working-class parents toil day and night for their children’s future. The government has adopted this dream as its own mission and is actively working towards it. By providing equal educational opportunities to the children of laborer families, a strong foundation is being laid for them to realize their dreams.
- E-rickshaw keys handed to 100 women workers; paving the way for self-reliance
At the grand convention, Chief Minister Shri Sai handed over e-rickshaw keys to 100 women workers under the ‘Didi E-Rickshaw Assistance Scheme’ and flagged them off. The excitement of a self-reliant future was evident on the faces of the women receiving the e-rickshaws.
During the event, Chief Minister Shri Sai and the Minister for Labour and Industries, Shri Lakhan Lal Dewangan, took a ride in the e-rickshaw belonging to beneficiary Smt. Yashoda Vishwakarma. The Chief Minister interacted warmly with all the beneficiary women and extended his best wishes for their new self-employment venture.
The Chief Minister remarked that the economic self-reliance of women empowers the entire family. The government strives to provide women workers with the means and opportunities to earn a dignified income through their own hard work and to become strong partners in their family’s economic progress.
- Chief Minister shares a meal with women workers
A heartwarming scene unfolded during the state-level workers’ convention when Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai sat down to share lunch with women workers who had arrived from various parts of the state.
While dining, the Chief Minister conversed informally with the women workers. He inquired about their work, families, and their children’s education. He also asked whether they were receiving the benefits of various Labour Department schemes and if they faced any difficulties in accessing them.
The Chief Minister stated that the true success of these schemes lies in ensuring their benefits reach eligible workers easily and in a timely manner. During the interaction, he also listened to their experiences. The women workers showed great enthusiasm seeing the Chief Minister sitting among them, sharing a meal, and conversing like a member of the family. Making schemes simple and transparent through digital technology
At the grand conference, Chief Minister Shri Sai launched the state’s new cess deduction website and unveiled a new worker registration card featuring PVC material and a QR code.
The Chief Minister stated that technology should be utilized not merely for administrative convenience but to make the lives of workers easier. With this vision in mind, processes ranging from registration to the delivery of scheme benefits are being made simpler, more accessible, and transparent.
Highlighting the initiatives undertaken for workers’ social security under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he noted that the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ system has greatly benefited workers who migrate to other states for employment. Workers can now avail themselves of ration facilities even while working in different parts of the country. Similarly, technological improvements in the PF system have ensured the continuity of account-related benefits for workers, even when they change jobs or workplaces.