Government Committed to Welfare of Society’s Last Person: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai

Dec 2025 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and the guidance of Social Welfare Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, the past two years in Chhattisgarh have witnessed significant progress in empowering vulnerable, marginalized, and specially-abled sections of society. The Social Welfare Department has led extensive reforms and new initiatives in pension schemes, assistance for persons with disabilities, senior citizen welfare, shelter facilities, transgender rehabilitation, and drug de-addiction programs. By improving transparency, accessibility, and effectiveness, the State Government has ensured that support reaches even the most marginalized individuals, exemplifying sensitive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance.

Revolutionary Pension Reforms Benefiting 21.99 Lakh People
The government prioritized social security by implementing technical improvements in six major pension schemes—Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, Disability Pension, Social Security Pension, Sukhada Sahara, and Chief Minister Pension Scheme—benefiting 21.99 lakh beneficiaries.

Transparent and Timely Pension Distribution
With DBT payments reaching 98% and Aadhaar seeding at 96%, pension distribution became highly transparent and timely. The e-KYC process removed deceased beneficiaries, ensuring rightful recipients received assistance. Beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Pension Scheme increased from 7.10 lakh to 7.45 lakh, reflecting the State’s sensitive policy approach.

National Family Assistance Provides Crucial Support
Under the National Family Assistance Scheme, 5,110 eligible families living below the poverty line received one-time assistance of ₹20,000 each over two years, providing relief during sudden bereavement.

Expansion of Disability Assistance, Identification, and Rehabilitation
Efforts to empower persons with disabilities proved effective, with UDID card beneficiaries reaching 2.74 lakh, assistive devices distributed increasing from 1,161 to 3,609, and 4,983 individuals directly benefiting from capacity-building camps. These initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to making persons with disabilities self-reliant and preserving their dignity.

Strong Foundation in Special Education and Rehabilitation
The State expanded special education and rehabilitation significantly, with 1,342 students in government special schools and 3,049 in voluntary institutions. Services at the Physical Referral Rehab Center and Cerebral Palsy Gate Lab at Mana Camp nearly doubled, strengthening the foundation for an independent future for children and youth with special needs.

Scholarships Boost Academic Confidence
Effective implementation of state and central scholarships aided students with disabilities, with state scholarships increasing from 7,807 to 8,726 and central scholarships from 390 to 423.

Senior Citizen Welfare: Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme Resumed
The popular Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme restarted with IRCTC’s support, benefiting 4,697 senior citizens across six trips. For 2025-26, a budget provision of ₹15 crore plus an additional ₹10 crore will expand the program further.

Economic Empowerment and Shelter Facilities
2,435 persons with disabilities received concessional loans, 411 received development subsidies, and ₹24.5 crore in loans were waived, offering substantial financial relief. Shelter homes, halfway homes, and care facilities saw increased beneficiaries, improving service quality and ensuring dignified lives.

Transgender Rehabilitation and Drug De-addiction
Transgender identity certificates increased from 506 to 915, while SRS operations beneficiaries rose from 5 to 9. De-addiction centers expanded from 11 to 25, aiding 4,379 individuals, with the Siyan Helpline receiving 2.73 lakh calls, establishing reliable support systems.

New Initiatives for a Strong Future
Under the Accessible Chhattisgarh campaign, audits of all public buildings were conducted. Over ₹205 crore was allocated for new special schools and residential complexes, and the Disability Development Commission saw its budget increase from ₹1,504 crore to ₹1,575 crore, energizing departmental work.

The past two years demonstrate how sensitive and citizen-focused governance can reach society’s last person and bring transformative change. Under Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Chhattisgarh has emerged as a robust, results-oriented model in social security, empowerment, senior citizen welfare, and overall social upliftment—a strong chapter of human values, development, and empathy.