Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attends the felicitation ceremony of Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 24, 2026: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the felicitation ceremony of the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur on August 24. He said that workers form a strong foundation for development, and that providing their children with quality education and equal opportunities is a priority of the State Government. The vision of a Developed Chhattisgarh and Developed India can be realised only when children of worker families receive quality education, progress in life and fulfil their dreams.
During the programme, Chief Minister Shri Sai felicitated students who had excelled in academics, sports, arts and co-curricular activities. More than Rs 39.67 crore in assistance under various labour welfare schemes was also transferred through DBT into the bank accounts of 1,45,841 workers.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness at seeing children from worker families confidently communicating in English and excelling in diverse fields. He said their achievements demonstrate that when children receive the right opportunities and quality education, circumstances cannot prevent talent from progressing.
*Yojana Opens Doors to Prestigious Schools
Chief Minister Shri Sai said the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana was launched last year with 100 children and has now been expanded to 200 students. Talented children selected from all 33 districts are being provided free, high-quality education from Classes 6 to 12 at prestigious private residential institutions, including Rajkumar College, Delhi Public School, and Rungta Public School.
He said the scheme goes beyond admission to good schools by providing children with a conducive educational environment, confidence and equal opportunities to pursue their aspirations. The government aims to ensure that financial constraints do not become an obstacle to the education of talented children from workers’ families.
*Workers’ Contribution Forms Foundation of Development
Highlighting the contribution of workers, Chief Minister Shri Sai said their labour is behind roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure that drive development. Ensuring security, dignity and prosperity for workers and their families is therefore an important responsibility of the government.
He said 67 welfare schemes are being implemented through the three boards of the Labour Department, covering education, healthcare, maternity assistance, support for persons with disabilities, pensions, skill development, employment and housing. Benefits are being delivered transparently, with financial assistance transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
*Education and Hard Work Can Overcome Difficult Circumstances
Interacting with the students, Chief Minister Shri Sai shared experiences from his own life and encouraged them to dream big, work hard and remain disciplined. He said students may aspire to become doctors, engineers, scientists, administrative officers, entrepreneurs or serve society through other professions, but education remains the strongest foundation for every goal.
He said Chhattisgarh now has premier institutions such as IIT, IIM and AIIMS. At the same time, provisions are also being made for higher-education loans and assistance to children of worker families pursuing studies abroad.
The Chief Minister said new educational opportunities are also opening in remote and formerly Naxal-affected areas. Initiatives such as Education Cities in Orchha and Jagargunda aim to ensure that children in Bastar have opportunities comparable to those in major cities.
*Over Rs 774 Crore Assistance to Workers in Two and a Half Years
Labour Minister Shri Lakhan Lal Dewangan said more than Rs 774 crore has been transferred to workers through DBT under various welfare schemes over the past two and a half years. He said the government is also working on new initiatives to support workers in emerging occupations, including assistance to parcel-delivery workers for purchasing vehicles and financial support for livestock herders.
Revenue Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma said the scheme is providing children of worker families an important opportunity to pursue their aspirations through quality education. Dr Rampratap Singh also urged the students to make full use of the opportunity and bring pride to their families and the state.
*Students Share Their Aspirations
Students shared how the scheme had strengthened their confidence and aspirations. Atish from Bijapur, studying at Delhi Public School, Rajnandgaon, expressed his ambition to become an IAS officer. In contrast, Ishika Dahre from Kabirdham, studying at Rungta Public School, said her confidence in speaking English had improved significantly. Parents thanked the State Government for making quality residential education accessible to their children.
*Chief Minister Shares Meal with Children
A warm moment of the programme came when Chief Minister Shri Sai sat with the children for a meal and interacted with them informally. The students asked him about his childhood, education, favourite food and experiences in life. Responding to their questions, he encouraged them to remain curious, disciplined and committed to learning.
The Chief Minister told the students that their success would be a source of pride for their parents and the state. He urged them to make the most of the opportunities available to them and, after achieving success, always remember their responsibility towards society, the state and the nation.
The Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana provides free quality education from Classes 6 to 12 in prestigious private residential schools to talented children of registered construction workers, ensuring that financial constraints do not limit their educational opportunities.
MP Smt. Laxmi Verma, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Chhattisgarh Labour Welfare Board Chairman Shri Yogesh Dutt Mishra, Vice-Chairman Shri Kishore Mahanand, Labour Department Secretary Shri Himshikhar Gupta, departmental officials, workers, parents and students were present.
