Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the gathering during the release of the 32nd instalment of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana in Durg, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday, October 8, 2026-Photo:channel24india.com via CMO
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister releases the 32nd instalment of the women’s welfare scheme in Durg, taking cumulative financial assistance beyond ₹20,708 crore; launches development projects worth ₹218.48 crore.
Key Highlights
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai transfers ₹632.40 crore directly into the bank accounts of 67,38,217 eligible women.
- Durg district’s 3,89,507 beneficiaries receive ₹37.19 crore.
- Total assistance under Mahtari Vandan Yojana crosses ₹20,708 crore.
- Chief Minister inaugurates the upgraded Durg ITI and lays the foundation for 23 development projects.
- Investments cover roads, irrigation, healthcare, education, skill development and electricity infrastructure.
Raipur : Women’s economic independence and their greater participation in family decisions remain central to the Chhattisgarh government’s welfare agenda, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Thursday, October 8, 2026 while releasing the 32nd instalment of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana at a public programme in Durg.
The Chief Minister transferred more than ₹632.40 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of 67,38,217 eligible women across the state, taking the total financial assistance distributed under the scheme beyond ₹20,708 crore.
Addressing the gathering, Sai emphasised that women’s empowerment should not be measured merely by the financial assistance deposited into their accounts, but also by the confidence and independence it brings to their everyday lives.
He said the government considers women’s dignity and economic empowerment an essential part of good governance. When women become financially stronger, he observed, their participation in decisions concerning children’s education, nutrition, healthcare and family welfare also increases.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries at the programme marking the inauguration and foundation-laying of development projects worth ₹218.48 crore in Durg on Thursday, October 8, 29026 -Photo:channel24india.com via CMO
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on women-led development with shaping initiatives intended to improve women’s economic security and opportunities.
Monthly assistance strengthens women’s financial independence
Introduced on March 1, 2024, the Mahtari Vandan Yojana provides eligible women with ₹1,000 every month through direct bank transfers.
Before Thursday’s disbursement, the government had released ₹20,075.76 crore through 31 instalments up to September 2026.
The latest transfer of ₹632,40,04,250 has pushed cumulative assistance beyond ₹20,708 crore.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai initiates the transfer of financial assistance to eligible women under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana during the Seva Setu programme in Durg on Thursday, October 8, 2026 -Photo: channel24india.com via CMO
According to the state government, beneficiaries use the monthly assistance for household expenses, children’s education, nutrition, healthcare, savings and small livelihood activities.
Sai maintained that the objective extends beyond financial support to strengthening women’s confidence and their participation in social and family decisions.
Durg women receive ₹37.19 crore
The 32nd instalment also benefited 3,89,507 women in Durg district, who collectively received ₹37,19,10,250.
The Chief Minister said regular financial assistance provides women with greater flexibility in managing household expenditure and addressing personal requirements.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries join women beneficiaries during the distribution of symbolic cheques under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana in Durg on October 8, 2026-Photo:channel24india.com via CMO
He stressed that women’s empowerment must encompass dignity, opportunity, economic independence and meaningful participation in society.
₹218.48 crore development package for Durg
Alongside the welfare disbursement, Sai announced development initiatives worth ₹218.48 crore for Durg district.
He inaugurated the ₹1.22 crore upgradation of the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Durg, and laid the foundation stones for 23 projects costing approximately ₹217.26 crore.
The projects cover road connectivity, irrigation infrastructure, technical education, healthcare facilities, livelihood training and electricity transmission.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries with beneficiaries holding symbolic keys at the Durg programme on Thursday, October 8, 2026-Photo:channel24india.com via CMO
Major road works include the proposed four-laning of an approximately five-kilometre stretch connecting Pulgaon Bridge with Anjora-Rasmada at an estimated cost of ₹30.20 crore.
Other projects include widening and strengthening roads in Ahiwara, Patan, Durg Rural and Vaishali Nagar constituencies.
Education, healthcare and skill development receive attention
The development programme includes an ₹8.86 crore infrastructure improvement project at Government Polytechnic, Durg, and a ₹4.11 crore Livelihood College building in Durg Rural.
Healthcare-related projects include a ₹16.16 crore hostel for medical students and an ₹11.96 crore Government GNM Training Centre at Durg District Hospital.
Irrigation works involving reservoir restoration, canal lining and water-management infrastructure are expected to support agricultural activities in several areas of the district.
Electricity projects include a proposed 132/33 kV substation at Jamgaon (R), a transmission line connecting Patan and Jamgaon, and additional infrastructure at the Patan substation.
Women’s empowerment central to developed Chhattisgarh vision
The Chief Minister linked the state’s welfare initiatives with its broader infrastructure development programme.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries with workers receiving safety equipment during the Seva Setu programme in Durg on Thursday , October 8, 2026-Photo:channel24india.com via CMO
He said the government was working simultaneously to strengthen women’s economic independence, improve opportunities for young people, support farmers and expand essential public infrastructure.
Sai reiterated that women’s financial security and greater participation in decision-making would remain important elements of the state’s development strategy.
The programme brought together direct financial assistance and infrastructure investments, reflecting the government’s approach of combining household-level welfare with long-term development projects.
