In a significant welfare move, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday announced the launch of two new schemes: the Annapurna Dal-Bhat Center, aimed at providing affordable meals in all districts, and the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Sahayata Yojana, which will offer free education to children of registered labour families in recognised residential schools.

The announcement was made during a program at the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya campus to mark Vishwakarma Day. Shri Sai also transferred Rs 49.43 crore to over 57,000 registered labour families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), as part of various ongoing welfare schemes. The Chief Minister honoured the Shramveers (labourers) by presenting them with shawls during the ceremony.

On this occasion, Shri Sai released a coffee table book titled Cradles of Hope, prepared by the Labour Department, and lauded the Shramev Jayate App and Shramik Helpline launched by the department for the benefit of workers. He recalled his tenure as Minister of State for Labour during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's first term, highlighting key reforms initiated for labourers. "At that time, workers received very low pension amounts. Later, under the Prime Minister's initiative, pensions were increased to Rs 1,000," he said. He also praised the introduction of universal numbers for workers, enabling them to access Provident Fund (PF) and other benefits across the country. He also mentioned that Rs 27,000 crore in pending PF amounts were paid to labourers who hadn’t claimed them previously.

Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, who also spoke at the event, lauded the state government’s focus on good governance and transparency, particularly in the direct transfer of benefits to workers’ bank accounts without the involvement of middlemen. "Several welfare schemes that had been discontinued by the previous government have been reinstated by Chief Minister Shri Sai, making this a joyous occasion for workers," he added.

Labour Minister Shri Lakhanlal Dewangan highlighted the numerous welfare schemes introduced under Chief Minister Shri Sai’s leadership, noting that Rs 235 crore has been disbursed to workers through various initiatives. He emphasised that the direct benefit of these schemes is reaching both workers and their families.

Deputy chief minister Shri Vijay Sharma noted the importance of the Shramev Jayate App, the grievance redressal portal, and the toll-free helpline launched by the Labour Department, which will enable workers to resolve their problems easily. He added that these services will empower the state's Shramveers, who are crucial to Chhattisgarh's progress.

Raipur MP Shri Brijmohan Agarwal echoed this sentiment, stating, "Our Shramveers are the backbone of our state, and they deserve credit for being one of the most efficient factors in our progress. The government is always working to uphold the dignity of Shramveers."

The event was attended by a large number of laborers, officers, and dignitaries, including MLAs Motilal Sahu, Anuj Sharma, and Guru Khuswant Saheb; Secretary of the Labour Department and Labour Commissioner Mrs. Alarmelmangai D; Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Dr. Girish Chandel; Raipur Collector Dr. Gaurav Kumar Singh; Additional Labour Commissioner Mrs. Savita Mishra; and LA Jangde.