![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefrontpage24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6306bb53-8bed-4b3a-9a0f-b7d31bfe9c9a-1024x829.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nTFP Bureau, Raipur, March 8, 2026: On the occasion of International Women\u2019s Day, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai released the 25th instalment of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, transferring \u20b9641.58 crore directly into the bank accounts of 69.48 lakh women across the state. The announcement was made while addressing the grand \u201cMahtari Vandan Sammelan\u20132026\u201d held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Mini Stadium in Bastar.<\/p>\n
Extending greetings to women on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the strength of Chhattisgarh\u2019s mothers and sisters is the greatest strength of society. He emphasised that economic and social empowerment of women is the foundation of a developed state and remains central to every decision taken by the government.<\/p>\n
With the release of the 25th instalment, the total financial assistance provided under the scheme has reached \u20b916,237 crore. The scheme, launched on March 10, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides \u20b91,000 per month to eligible women to strengthen their financial independence and support household needs.<\/p>\n
Chief Minister Sai noted that the promise of providing monthly financial assistance to women has been consistently fulfilled for the past 25 months, with each beneficiary receiving \u20b925,000 so far. To ensure uninterrupted implementation of the programme, the state government has made a budget provision of \u20b98,200 crore for the scheme in the current financial year. <\/p>\n
He said the assistance is bringing visible changes in the lives of women across the state. Many beneficiaries are utilising the funds for children\u2019s education, healthcare, savings, household expenses and small business activities. According to the Chief Minister, this regular financial support is strengthening family stability while promoting broader social and economic development.<\/p>\n
Referring to development initiatives in Bastar, the Chief Minister said the region is witnessing significant transformation. He said that with the determination of the Union Government and the efforts of security forces, Naxalism is nearing its final phase. To rehabilitate families affected by Naxal violence and surrendered extremists, the state government has sanctioned 15,000 houses and launched several development initiatives aimed at restoring normal life in the region.<\/p>\n
Highlighting progress in infrastructure and public services, he said healthcare facilities in Naxal-affected areas have been revived under the Niyad Nellanar initiative, while closed schools have reopened. Electricity supply has reached remote settlements, mobile towers are being installed, and efforts are underway to ensure clean drinking water and improved road connectivity. Transport services have also improved through the Chief Minister Bus Service Scheme, benefiting residents of Bastar and Surguja by providing better access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
The Chief Minister also outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening women\u2019s dignity and social empowerment. Over the past two years, 21,754 marriages have been organised under the Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana. Additionally, 368 Mahtari Sadans have been approved across the state, with 137 already completed to serve as community centres for women at the Gram Panchayat level. These centres provide space for training, meetings and community activities for women\u2019s groups.<\/p>\n
He further stated that more than eight lakh women in the state have already become \u201cLakhpati Didis,\u201d with the government aiming to increase this number to 10 lakh. These women are emerging as important contributors to the rural economy through self-employment and entrepreneurship. The state government has also restarted Ready-to-Eat food production through women\u2019s self-help groups, which will be gradually expanded across remaining districts.<\/p>\n
During the programme, the Chief Minister interacted with several beneficiaries through video conferencing, including Neetu Sahu from Dhamtari, Mithlesh Chaturvedi from Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Saraswati Kenwat from Janjgir-Champa, Anita Sahu from Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and Nidhi Jaiswal from Surguja.<\/p>\n
Mithlesh Chaturvedi shared that after the death of her husband, running the household had become extremely difficult. With support from the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and other government assistance, she purchased an e-rickshaw and began earning a livelihood, enabling her to support her family with dignity.<\/p>\n
Neetu Sahu said that earlier it was difficult to save for the future of her daughters due to limited income from daily wage labour. With the financial support received under the scheme, she opened accounts for both daughters under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and started saving regularly.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Nidhi Jaiswal used the funds to start a beauty parlour named \u201cNidhi Makeover,\u201d while Anita Sahu established a tailoring business called \u201cAnita Silai Centre.\u201d Saraswati Kenwat also invested the financial assistance in her family business to increase income.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefrontpage24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/b136b02b-acde-406f-859e-907b8d4ba523-1024x699.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it was encouraging to see that the assistance provided under the scheme is becoming the foundation of economic progress for many families across the state.<\/p>\n
During the programme, the Women and Child Development Department also launched the \u201cLakshmi Sakhi Millet Cart\u201d initiative. The programme aims to promote millet-based food products and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to women, especially those rehabilitated from conflict-affected regions. Women participating in the initiative will receive training through agricultural institutions and will be supported in preparing and marketing millet-based products.<\/p>\n
Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade extended greetings on International Women\u2019s Day and said the Mahtari Vandan Yojana was launched soon after the formation of the government to fulfil the guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She noted that nearly 70 lakh women are benefiting from the scheme and additional programmes such as the Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh and Saksham Yojana are supporting women in starting self-employment ventures.<\/p>\n
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap also addressed the gathering and said that the regular monthly assistance under the scheme reflects the government\u2019s strong commitment to women\u2019s welfare and empowerment.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of the programme, Women and Child Development Department Secretary Shammi Abidi presented details about various departmental schemes. A coffee table book highlighting success stories of women beneficiaries under different programmes was also released during the event.<\/p>\n
Several public representatives and officials attended the programme, including Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Deo, Scheduled Tribe Commission Chairman Roopsingh Mandavi, Bastar Division Commissioner Doman Singh, senior police and administrative officials, and representatives from various boards and institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rs 641.58 crore transferred to 69.48 lakh women as 25th instalment on International Women\u2019s Day; total assistance crosses Rs 16,237 crore<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6285,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,118,117],"tags":[1015],"class_list":["post-6283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-chhattishgarh","category-state","tag-mahtari-vandan-yojna"],"yoast_head":"\n