Chief Minister Sai participates in Raksha Bandhan and interaction programme with women at Pandripani
Women tie rakhis to the Chief Minister, who presents gifts as a gesture of affection
Announcement of Mahatari Sadan in Farsabahar and Bhelwa
Financial assistance extended to women’s self-help groups to expand livelihood activities
₹3.23 crore approved for road construction from the main road to Dani Moda settlement
Raipur, August 2026: The spirit of Raksha Bandhan, a festival symbolising the enduring bond of love, trust and affection between brothers and sisters, came alive in Pandripani village of Farsabahar development block in Jashpur district on Wednesday. A large number of women from the region tied rakhis on the wrist of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The Chief Minister reciprocated by presenting gifts to the women as a gesture of affection and respect.
The “Raksha Bandhan and Interaction with Sisters” programme provided an opportunity for the Chief Minister to interact directly with women and listen to their concerns. Sai said Raksha Bandhan was not only a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters but also an occasion to reaffirm the responsibility towards women’s dignity, safety and future.
He said the state government was committed to ensuring that every woman in Chhattisgarh becomes self-reliant, receives opportunities to progress and has a stronger role in decision-making within families and society.
“Respect and empowerment of women are the strong foundations of a prosperous Chhattisgarh,” Sai said, adding that when women become economically and socially empowered, the benefits extend to their families and ultimately contribute to the development of society and the state.
Development projects for Pandripani
During the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated and performed the bhoomi pujan for various development projects worth around ₹64 lakh in Pandripani. These included the inauguration of a Mahatari Sadan, which is intended to become a centre for collective activities, economic initiatives and self-reliance among village women.
The Mahatari Sadan has facilities including a meeting hall, training space, kitchen and toilets. The facility will provide women’s self-help groups and organisations with a convenient and dignified venue for meetings, training programmes and livelihood activities.
Sai also announced the construction of Mahatari Sadans in Farsabahar and Bhelwa gram panchayats. He further announced the approval of ₹3.23 crore for construction of a road connecting the main road with the Dani Moda settlement.
The Chief Minister said improving rural infrastructure and making everyday life easier for women and rural families remained among the government’s priorities.
Mahatari Vandan strengthens women’s financial confidence
Highlighting the state government’s Mahatari Vandan Yojana, Sai said women across Chhattisgarh were receiving monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 under the scheme.
He said the assistance was providing women with financial support for their everyday needs while also strengthening their confidence and independence.
Keeping Raksha Bandhan in mind, the government recently transferred more than ₹631 crore into the bank accounts of over 67 lakh women as the 31st instalment of the Mahatari Vandan scheme. The September instalment was released in advance so that women could celebrate the festival with greater enthusiasm.
Sai said the government’s objective went beyond providing financial assistance. It was also focused on making women economically self-reliant, connecting their skills with opportunities and strengthening their participation in family and community development.
Women associated with self-help groups, he said, were setting examples of self-reliance through a wide range of livelihood activities.
Government services made easier
The Chief Minister said good governance meant ensuring that government services reached people in a simple, transparent and accessible manner.
Through Seva Setu, more than 700 services of 36 departments have been made available online, reducing the need for citizens to repeatedly visit government offices.
To strengthen financial inclusion in rural areas, Atal Digital Seva Kendras are also being established. The state has additionally launched Chief Minister’s Helpline 1076 for faster resolution of public grievances.
Sai said technology was being increasingly used to ensure that government schemes and services reached the last person and that grievances were resolved within a stipulated timeframe.
Financial assistance to women’s self-help groups
During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed financial assistance to women’s self-help groups for expanding their livelihood and economic activities.
Mongra Self-Help Group of Bhagora, Vaishnavi Self-Help Group of Kandaibahar and Chand Self-Help Group of Kandaibahar received ₹1.50 lakh each, while Pratigya Group of Bada Basti received ₹1 lakh.
Sai said self-help groups were strengthening the rural economy while providing women with an effective platform for economic independence. The financial assistance would help these groups expand self-employment and livelihood activities and create new sources of income locally.
Focus on daughters’ financial security
Under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, account passbooks were presented to girls Meenakshi Yadav and Shreya Painkra. Information was also provided about schemes aimed at securing the future and promoting the financial empowerment of girls.
Sai said ensuring equal opportunities for daughters in education, safety and personal development remained a priority of the government.
Property rights under Swamitva Yojana
The Chief Minister also distributed property documents to five beneficiaries under the Swamitva Yojana.
The beneficiaries included Harawati from Bokhi, Jagmani from Wangao, Rajmani from Konpara, Lakshmi from Bhagora and Sumitra from Telain.
The documents will provide beneficiaries with formal recognition of their property rights along with greater legal and documentary security.
‘Vishnu Bhaiya’ of Chhattisgarh’s women: Gomti Sai
Addressing the gathering, Pathalgaon MLA Gomti Sai extended her greetings to the women present at the event. She said Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had placed women’s dignity and economic self-reliance among the government’s key priorities.
She highlighted the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, which provides monthly financial assistance to women, and the Mahatari Sadan initiative, which gives women in villages a dignified space for meetings, training and economic activities.
Gomti Sai also described the opening of an SBI branch in Pandripani as an important development for the region and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister.
She said Vishnu Deo Sai was the “Vishnu Bhaiya” of the women of Chhattisgarh, continuously working for their dignity, safety, self-reliance and welfare.
The programme was attended by MLA Gomti Sai, Collector Rohit Vyas, SSP Dr Lal Umed Singh, District Panchayat CEO Abhishek Kumar, other public representatives and officials, besides a large number of women from the region.
