Major Antyodaya Initiative to Provide ₹10,000 Each Under Welfare Scheme; Baiga and Gunia Families Among Key Beneficiaries
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 23, 2026: In a significant push towards inclusive development and rural economic security, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai is set to extend financial assistance worth nearly ₹500 crore to close to five lakh landless agricultural labourer families under the Deendayal Upadhyay Landless Agricultural Laborer Welfare Scheme.
The large-scale benefit transfer programme will be formally launched at a grand समारोह in Balodabazar on March 25, where funds will be directly credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to transparency and welfare-driven governance.
Under the scheme, a total of 4,95,965 landless beneficiaries will receive ₹10,000 each as annual financial assistance, with an overall allocation of approximately ₹495.96 crore for the current financial year. The initiative is aimed at providing economic stability to families dependent on agricultural wage labour, enabling them to meet essential needs such as education, healthcare, and daily household expenses without falling into debt.
Officials highlighted that the scheme reflects the core principle of ‘Antyodaya’—uplifting the last person in society—by focusing on the most vulnerable sections of the rural population. Among the beneficiaries this year are 22,028 families belonging to the Baiga and Gunia communities, known for preserving traditional knowledge systems and cultural heritage in the state. Their inclusion underscores the government’s efforts to ensure that development reaches historically marginalised groups.
The scheme has seen consistent expansion in recent years. In 2025, financial assistance amounting to over ₹562 crore was disbursed to more than 5.62 lakh beneficiaries at the same rate of ₹10,000 per person, indicating the government’s sustained focus on strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing income security.
Earlier, beneficiaries received ₹7,000 annually under the scheme, but the amount was subsequently increased to ₹10,000, significantly boosting its impact. The direct benefit transfer mechanism ensures timely and transparent delivery of funds, eliminating intermediaries and enhancing efficiency.
Describing the initiative as a transformative step, officials said the scheme is not merely a financial support programme but a comprehensive effort to empower landless families and integrate them into the mainstream of development. By providing assured annual assistance, the government aims to improve living standards, reduce financial vulnerability, and promote social dignity among rural labourers.
The upcoming event in Balodabazar is expected to witness large participation from beneficiaries and public representatives, symbolising a major milestone in the state’s journey towards equitable and inclusive growth.
