- Launch of ‘Project Siyan Ashish Seva’ and ‘Project Siyan Shram Samman’
- Free bus passes for nationwide travel distributed to 1,810 senior citizens aged over 80 at the ‘Siyan Seva Mahakumbh’
- 1.59 million senior citizens in the state have benefited from social welfare schemes; 255,000 undertook spiritual journeys under the ‘Mukhyamantri Tirath Darshan Yojana’
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the Social Welfare Department organized the ‘Siyan Seva Mahakumbh’ at the Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Budhapara, Raipur, as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Service Pledge Campaign). Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister for Social Welfare and Women & Child Development, extended her greetings to the senior citizens on this occasion and interacted with them. More than 4,000 senior citizens benefited from the event.
At the Mahakumbh, under the new ‘Siyan Ashish Seva Yojana’, 1,810 senior citizens aged over 80 were provided with bus passes for free travel across India. Additionally, 2,000 walking sticks, 1,000 hearing aids, and 20 tricycles were distributed based on individual needs. The bus passes will facilitate travel for the senior citizens, while the assistive devices will make their daily activities easier.
In her address, Minister Smt. Rajwade stated that senior citizens are the bearers of our cultural heritage and life experiences. Through their hard work, they have provided a strong foundation for families and society. Along with respecting them, their experience should also be integrated into the development of society. She remarked, “Senior citizens are not merely a legacy of the past but active participants in today’s development.”
The active participation of senior citizens is crucial to the resolve of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and the vision of ‘Nava Anjor-Anjor 2047’. Smt. Rajwade stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government’s commitment to the welfare of the elderly extends far beyond the provision of pensions. Attention is also being focused on the health security, care, mobility, social participation, and dignified living of senior citizens. Budgetary provisions of ₹400 crore for the National Old Age Pension Scheme and ₹450 crore for the Chief Minister’s Pension Scheme have been made for the 2026-27 financial year. Currently, 1,590,080 senior citizens in the state are benefiting from the department’s various welfare schemes. She instructed officials to ensure that assistance reaches every eligible beneficiary in a timely, transparent, and respectful manner.
Highlighting the ‘Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme), Minister Smt. Rajwade noted that 255,845 senior citizens have benefited from spiritual journeys through this initiative so far. Undertaking a pilgrimage is often a lifelong wish for many senior citizens, and this scheme provides them with the opportunity to fulfill that desire. She added that the bus passes provided under the ‘Siyan Ashish Seva Yojana’ also represent a significant step towards making travel easier for the elderly.
Providing details about the ‘Siyan Helpline’ (155326), Minister Smt. Rajwade emphasized that senior citizens should receive both assistance and reassurance during times of need. Referring to facilities such as old-age homes, the ‘Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana’, palliative care homes, and ‘Siyan Gudi’ centers, she stated that the department aims to provide a safe, warm, and dignified environment for the elderly. The focus is on building a society where senior citizens remain healthy and active while staying connected to their families and communities.
She remarked that the success of these schemes should be measured not merely by statistics, but by the ease brought to the lives of senior citizens and the smiles on their faces. She called upon everyone to pledge their commitment to three core values: security, participation, and dignity. Smt. Rajwade stated, “Your experience is our strength, your dignity is our responsibility, and your participation is the hallmark of a developed Chhattisgarh.”
- A Special Initiative by the Raipur District Administration
On the International Day of Older Persons, the Raipur district administration launched ‘Project Siyan Ashish Seva’ and ‘Project Siyan Shram Samman’. Under ‘Project Siyan Ashish Seva’, an initiative has been introduced to provide free bus passes to senior citizens aged over 80 in the district, enabling them to travel across the country.
Under ‘Project Siyan Shram Samman’, construction workers who have long been registered with the Labour Department are being linked to relevant welfare schemes. It was announced that benefits would be provided to 60 senior workers. Provisions exist for eligible construction workers to receive a monthly pension of ₹1,500 under the ‘Chief Minister Construction Worker Pension Assistance Scheme’ after attaining the age of 60. Additionally, a one-time assistance of ₹20,000 is provided under the ‘Chief Minister Shramik Siyan Assistance Scheme’ to workers aged between 59 and 60 who have been registered for three years. The objective of this initiative by the Raipur district administration is to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reach eligible senior workers.
The event was attended by MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Lakshmi Verma, Chairman of the Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation Shri Lokesh Kavadia, Chairman of the Civil Supplies Corporation Shri Sanjay Shrivastava, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Dr. Mamta Sahu, Chairman of the Kesh Shilpi Kalyan Board Shri Gaurishankar Shrivas, and MLAs Shri Purandar Mishra and Shri Motilal Sahu. Principal Secretary of the Social Welfare Department Smt. Shahla Nigar, Raipur Collector Shri Gaurav Singh, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shri Sambit Mishra, District Panchayat CEO Shri Kumar Bishwaranjan, Director Shri Gajendra Singh Thakur, along with other officials and a large number of senior citizens, were also present.