TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 9, 2025: Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai marked Raksha Bandhan with a strong message of women’s empowerment, launching the ‘Jashpur Express’ from his native village Bagiya in Jashpur district and handing over e-rickshaws to 12 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Bihan scheme. Calling it a “Rakhi gift of self-reliance,” CM Sai also took a ride in one of the new vehicles, driven by SHG member Smt. Gilsonika Pande, symbolising the initiative’s focus on practical livelihood support.
“These e-rickshaws are not only eco-friendly and economical, but they open up new income opportunities for rural women,” the Chief Minister said. “By participating in local transport services, these women will become financially independent and better able to support their families.” He extended festive greetings to the women of Chhattisgarh, assuring that his government is fully committed to their safety, dignity, and empowerment.
CM Sai used the occasion to highlight rapid progress on promises under Modi ki Guarantee. He informed that work on 18 lakh houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is advancing swiftly, and that the Awas Plus Plus scheme will benefit eligible families owning up to 5 acres of unirrigated land, 2.5 acres of irrigated land, a two-wheeler, and earning a monthly income of up to ₹15,000.
He further noted that under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, 70 lakh women are receiving ₹1,000 per month directly into their bank accounts. The government has also raised the support price for tendu leaves to ₹5,500 per standard bag, significantly improving earnings for tribal collectors. To bridge the banking gap in rural areas, Atal Digital Seva Kendras will soon be operational in all gram panchayats, with the official launch scheduled for Panchayat Day.
The Chief Minister outlined several other ongoing initiatives:
- 10 New Revolutions in Registry Services – simplifying and digitising the registration process to make it more transparent and citizen-friendly.
- Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana – expanding bus services to remote and inaccessible regions to improve rural connectivity.
- Healthcare Expansion – plans to set up a medical college, naturopathy and physiotherapy centre, a government nursing college, and a government physiotherapy college in Jashpur to strengthen health infrastructure.
During the programme, routes for the new women-operated e-rickshaws were also announced. In Farsabahar, Pratima Bhagat will serve the Farsabahar–Kandaibahar–Amdiha–Tapkara route; Madanwati will operate on the Lawakera–Amdiha–Purainbandh–Samadma–Tapkara route; Rajkumari Painkra will cover Tapkara–Kandaibahar–Tuba–Farsabahar; and Urmila Bhagat will ply the Khutgaon–Singibahar–Sajbahar–Tapkara route.
In Duldula, Bindeshwari Devi will operate on the Kosa–Duldula–Vipatpur–Cherdand route; Parvati Sai on the Kosa–Duldula–Patratoli–Loro–Bamhani route; Sangeeta Devi on the Cherdand–Loro–Bamhani–Kastura route; and Bimla Devi on the Cherdand–Duldula–Loro–Patratoli route.
In Kansabel, Gilsonika Pande will run services on the Tangargaon–Hathgadha–Kansabel route; Tiaso Pankra on the Bansbahar–Dokda–Pusra–Khuntitoli–Kansabel route; Neeta Rawani on the Katangakhar–Dokda–Bandarchhua–Kansabel route; and Angawati Bai on the Dewari–Dokda–Chhatabar–Kansabel route.
Senior officials including Commissioner Narendra Dugga, IG Deepak Kumar Jha, District Panchayat CEO Abhishek Kumar, Deputy Collector Sameer Bada, and other dignitaries were present at the event, which combined festive celebration with a clear message of economic empowerment for rural women.
This initiative, the CM stressed, is not just about providing vehicles but about giving women a stronger role in Chhattisgarh’s economy and society — an investment in both livelihoods and dignity.
