Raipur: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale chaired a high-level review meeting with senior Chhattisgarh government and Raipur Municipal Corporation officials, focusing on the implementation of social welfare schemes and the status of recruitment against the backlog of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe posts.
The review was held during Athawale’s visit to Chhattisgarh, where he also assessed the reach of various Central welfare programmes among rural, poor and tribal communities.
Key welfare initiatives reviewed
- More than 1.88 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in Chhattisgarh, with deposits exceeding ₹9,324 crore.
- More than 39.75 lakh LPG connections have been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
- Approval has been granted for five new medical colleges in the state.
- More than 1.77 lakh houses have been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban, with an allocation of ₹4,699 crore.
- Around 1.08 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA scheme.
- Funding has been provided for five de-addiction centres and three old age homes as part of social defence initiatives.
- An Indian Oil bottling plant in Korba, built at a cost of more than ₹130 crore, was also highlighted for its potential contribution to logistics, employment and energy security.
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Athawale also highlighted the financial support provided to Chhattisgarh under Union Budget 2026-27, including ₹50,427 crore in proposed tax devolution. A ₹15,000 crore grant provision for 2025-26 was also cited as support for the state’s financial capacity and infrastructure works.
The review placed emphasis on ensuring that welfare programmes reach marginalised communities while also examining progress in filling pending SC/ST positions in the state.
How Central Welfare Schemes Are Supporting Chhattisgarh
During his Chhattisgarh visit, Athawale highlighted the reach of several Central welfare programmes in the state, particularly among rural, poor and tribal communities. These initiatives cover areas such as financial inclusion, clean cooking fuel, housing, energy efficiency and social support.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: The scheme aims to expand access to basic banking services for financially excluded and low-income households, enabling them to access savings accounts and other financial services.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: The scheme provides LPG connections to eligible women from poor households, helping families move towards cleaner cooking fuel and reducing dependence on traditional fuels.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban: The housing programme supports eligible urban households, particularly those from economically weaker and lower-income sections, in obtaining permanent housing.
- UJALA: The energy-efficiency initiative promotes the use of LED bulbs, helping households reduce electricity consumption and lighting expenses.
- Social defence initiatives: Central assistance for de-addiction centres and old age homes is aimed at providing institutional support to people affected by substance dependence and elderly persons requiring care.
Athawale also highlighted the approval of five new medical colleges and other development initiatives in the state, while the review meeting examined the implementation of welfare programmes and the status of pending SC/ST recruitment.
