New initiatives focus on safer workplaces, housing, healthcare, education, self-employment and digital services; welfare benefits worth ₹173.32 crore extended to 3.48 lakh workers
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 21, 2026: Chhattisgarh is strengthening its labour welfare framework with a series of measures aimed at improving workplace safety, social security, healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities for workers across the state.
Under the leadership of Labour Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan, the Labour Department has expanded its administrative network, introduced reforms in labour regulations, increased financial assistance under key welfare schemes and widened access to digital services.
The department’s initiatives over the past two and a half years are aimed at ensuring that workers are not only protected by labour laws but also have access to social security and opportunities for improving their quality of life.
Five new Labour Officer offices established
To improve access to labour-related services and strengthen implementation of labour laws, Labour Officer offices have been established in five new districts. Five Labour Officer offices have also been upgraded to Assistant Labour Commissioner offices.
The state now has 33 labour offices, including 10 Assistant Labour Commissioner offices and 23 Labour Officer offices. The expansion is expected to facilitate quicker resolution of workers’ grievances and improve implementation of welfare schemes.
Labour laws updated
The government has also amended labour regulations to keep pace with changing industrial requirements while maintaining worker safeguards.
Amendments to the Chhattisgarh Factories Rules, 1962, have expanded employment opportunities for women while retaining prescribed safety provisions. Changes to the Chhattisgarh Shops and Establishments Rules, 2021, provide for labour identification registration certificates to be issued within 24 hours, aimed at making services faster and more transparent.
Over 56.83 lakh workers registered
According to the Labour Department, approximately 56.83 lakh workers from organised, construction and unorganised sectors have been registered under various boards functioning under the department.
These include the Chhattisgarh Labour Welfare Board, Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and Unorganised Workers State Social Security Board.
As of June 30, 2026, around 3.48 lakh workers have received benefits covering insurance, medical care, healthcare, education and skill development under various welfare schemes. An expenditure of approximately ₹173.32 crore has been incurred for these initiatives.
Higher assistance for construction workers
The financial assistance under the Chief Minister Construction Worker Housing Assistance Scheme has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh for construction or purchase of a house.
Similarly, assistance under the Didi E-Rickshaw Assistance Scheme has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh for registered women construction workers and their groups. The initiative is aimed at creating avenues for self-employment and greater economic independence among women workers.
Focus on children’s education
The government has introduced the Atal Career Nirman Yojana to support the children of registered construction workers. Under the scheme, eligible students receive free coaching for competitive examinations, including those related to engineering and medical education.
Under the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana, the first two children of eligible construction workers can receive free education from Classes 6 to 12 in selected private residential schools. The number of beneficiaries has been increased from 100 to 200 from the 2026-27 academic session.
Health check-ups for construction workers
Regular health examinations are being provided to registered construction workers under the Chief Minister Construction Worker Health Check-up Scheme. The initiative aims to facilitate early detection of diseases, timely treatment and greater awareness about healthy lifestyles.
₹5 meals for workers
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Shram Anna Yojana provides hot and nutritious meals to registered construction, organised and unorganised sector workers for ₹5.
At present, 39 meal centres are operating across 18 districts, providing affordable meals to thousands of workers.
Digital services expanded
The Labour Department’s e-Shram Saathi Mobile App has emerged as a digital platform for workers and employers. It enables self-registration, facilitates communication between workers and employers and provides employment-related information.
The department is also establishing Model Labour Chowk Facilitation Centres, where workers will have access to registration facilities, assistance in applying for welfare schemes, food, drinking water and resting areas.
Strengthened death and disability assistance
Under the Chief Minister’s Construction Worker Death and Disability Assistance Scheme, dependants are eligible for ₹1 lakh in case of natural death, ₹5 lakh in the event of death due to a workplace accident and ₹2.5 lakh for permanent disability.
Dependants of unregistered construction workers are also eligible for ₹1 lakh in case of death resulting from a workplace accident.
Under the Unorganised Workers State Social Security Board, dependants of registered workers receive ₹1 lakh in case of death and ₹50,000 in cases of disability.
Focus on workplace safety
The department is also strengthening workplace safety through regular, job-specific training for workers in factories across the state. Senior officials and safety officers are involved in these programmes, with the objective of improving adherence to safety standards, reducing workplace accidents and enhancing productivity.
The Labour Department has stated that the measures are intended to make workers active partners in Chhattisgarh’s development rather than merely beneficiaries of welfare schemes. With greater emphasis on social security, education, healthcare, housing, safety, digital access and dignified employment, the state is seeking to build a more inclusive and worker-oriented development framework.
