Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai- Photo Credit CG/PR
- Ensuring protection and dignity of labourers is our responsibility: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur: While conducting a high-level review of the Labor Department’s operations and schemes here on Tuesday April 28, 2026 at the Mantralaya (Mahanadi Bhawan), Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed officials to ensure that the field staff delivers the benefits of these schemes to workers with complete commitment.
He stated that the true impact of these schemes would only become visible when their benefits reach the last person in the line and when their effective implementation is ensured at the grassroots level. Labor Minister Lakhan Dewangan was present on this occasion.
Chief Minister Sai noted that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comprehensive initiatives have been undertaken across the country for the welfare of workers, and four new labor codes have been enacted, Sai added.
He issued directives to ensure the effective implementation in Chhattisgarh of the Code on Wages 2019, the Industrial Relations Code 2020, the Code on Social Security 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020, so that workers may be provided with a safe, secure, and dignified working environment, the CM remarked.
Chief Minister Sai emphasised that the Labor Department is a critically important department capable of bringing about positive changes in the lives of workers on a large scale. He instructed officials to conduct surprise inspections of industrial units—facilitated by technology—alongside the effective implementation of schemes, in order to ensure the protection of workers’ rights. Through these efforts by the State Government, the social and economic empowerment of workers in Chhattisgarh is gaining a new direction, He noted.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai launched the “E-Shram Saathi” mobile application—dubbed the “Chhattisgarh Digital Labour Chowk”—with the objective of making employment-related information easily accessible to workers from the comfort of their homes.
He stated that the hard work of laborers constitutes the strong foundation of both the national and state economies; therefore, honoring their contribution and safeguarding their interests remain the highest priority, CM Sai stated.
During the review meeting, a detailed assessment was conducted regarding the organisational structure of the Labour Department, the Office of the Labour Commissioner, industrial health and safety protocols, and the operations of the three major welfare boards.
Emphasis was also placed on the effective implementation of various schemes through labour offices across all districts of the state, as well as on organising periodic training programs to ensure that workers are both informed about these schemes and able to avail themselves of their benefits.
It is worth mentioning that under the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, more than 3.314 million workers have been registered since September 5, 2008. The Board currently administers 26 distinct schemes, and 60 categories of workers have been officially notified. Revenue amounting to ₹315 crore was generated in the year 2025–26 through a 1% cess (levy), while the total cess collected since the inception of the Board stands at ₹2,808 crore. As of March 2026, a sum of ₹2,558 crore has been disbursed across various welfare schemes, Chief Minister Sai affirmed.
Several significant welfare schemes for laborers are currently operational in Chhattisgarh, prominent among which are the Minimata Mahtari Jatan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Noni Sashaktikaran Yojana, Naunihal Scholarship Scheme, Construction Worker Death and Disability Assistance, Siyan Assistance, Noni-Babu Meritorious Education Assistance, Housing Assistance Scheme, Free Coaching Assistance, and the Didi E-Rickshaw Assistance Scheme, CM added.
Furthermore, under the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana (Atal Excellence in Education Scheme), 100 students are selected annually from the 6th grade based on merit. Currently, 95 students from 31 districts of the state are pursuing their studies in 14 schools across 8 districts; for the current academic session, the number of available seats has been increased to 200. Various schemes are also being implemented by the Chhattisgarh Unorganised Workers State Social Security Board and the Labour Welfare Board, CM Sai noted,
Fourteen schemes are currently operational under the Labour Welfare Board, and a budgetary provision of ₹5.21 crore has been allocated for the year 2025-26. Efforts are being made to ensure that these schemes reach the workers through initiatives such as the ‘Shaheed Veernarayan Singh Shram Anna Yojana,’ labour conferences, and mobile camps.
Emphasising the expansion of digital services, Chief Minister Sai issued directives to ensure the accurate identification of beneficiaries through e-KYC. Currently, 55 percent of the verification process has been completed, while the remaining work is in progress.
He also underscored the need to further enhance the effectiveness of innovative initiatives such as the “Chief Minister’s Labour Assistance Centre” (Mukhyamantri Shramik Sahayata Kendra).
Present on this occasion were Chief Secretary Vikasheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Singh, Secretary of the Labour Department Himshikhar Gupta, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajat Bansal, along with other senior officials of the Labour Department.
