Special Article: Transforming Workers’ Lives Through Chhattisgarh Government’s Initiatives

At the time of Chhattisgarh’s formation in 2000, only 9 out of 16 districts had labor offices, and industrial health and safety offices were operational in 4 districts. Today, all 33 districts of the state have labor offices, and 10 districts have industrial health and safety offices. In 2008, a State Industrial Hygiene Laboratory was established in Raipur. Since the formation of the state, two major welfare boards have been constituted — the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (2008) and the Chhattisgarh Unorganized Workers State Social Security Board (2011).

Workers can now register, renew, and apply for various welfare schemes online through the departmental portal and the “Shramev Jayate” mobile app, ensuring transparency and accessibility. Benefits under multiple schemes are being provided directly to workers via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

25 Years of Progress in the Labor Department

As of July 31, 2025, a total of 52,75,618 workers are registered across different categories —

• 5,41,920 organized workers under the Chhattisgarh Labor Welfare Board,
• 30,21,624 construction workers under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, and
• 17,12,074 unorganized workers under the State Social Security Board.

Since the formation of the state, 57,24,745 workers have been provided benefits worth ₹23,70,24,56,757 (₹23.70 billion) through various welfare programs.

The welfare boards have disbursed:

• ₹26.56 crore to 80,713 organized workers,
• ₹19.82 crore to 51.72 lakh construction workers, and
• ₹3.60 billion to 4.71 lakh unorganized workers — all contributing to improved livelihoods and financial stability for the state’s labor force.

24×7 Worker Assistance Centers

To safeguard workers’ rights and resolve grievances, the Chief Minister’s Worker Assistance Center operates 24×7 in Raipur. District-level and block-level Chief Minister’s Labor Resource Centers are also active across the state, assisting over 84,810 construction workers with registration and welfare applications.

Ease of Doing Business & e-Governance

Under the Ease of Doing Business framework, all registrations, renewals, and modifications related to factories, shops, contractors, and welfare boards are now available online. Employers can maintain digital records, submit integrated annual returns, and apply for scheme approvals through the departmental web portal or mobile app.

In recognition of these digital efforts, the Government of India’s Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances awarded the Chhattisgarh Labor Department the National e-Governance Gold Award (2020–21) for “e-Shramik Seva,” including ₹2 lakh in prize money.

Migrant Worker Welfare

To protect migrant workers, the Chhattisgarh State Migrant Worker Policy 2020 was implemented from July 19, 2021, ensuring the maintenance of an online migration register and coordinated welfare measures among departments.

Atal Excellence Education Scheme

Launched on January 8, 2025, the Atal Excellence Education Scheme provides free, high-quality education in private schools to children of registered construction workers. The scheme offers admission for the first two children of workers (registered for at least one year) into Class 6, with education up to Class 12 in residential schools. Currently, 100 students are receiving free, quality education under this initiative.

In addition, ₹1 lakh in financial aid is provided for workers to build or purchase their own homes. As of July 31, 2025, 2,278 construction workers have received this housing assistance.

Pension & Welfare Schemes for Workers

Registered construction workers aged 60 years and above, with at least 10 years of registration, receive a monthly pension of ₹1,500.
Under the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Shram Ann Yojana, registered workers (organized, unorganized, and construction) are provided nutritious meals for just ₹5.
Currently, 37 Shram Ann Centers are operational across 17 districts, serving about 8,000 workers daily.

Directorate of Employee State Insurance Services (ESIS)

Under the Employee State Insurance Act, 1948, the ESIS scheme initially covered only factories, cinemas, transport, and commercial establishments. After the formation of the state, it was extended to private aided educational and medical institutions as well as urban local bodies.

At the time of state formation, about 30,000 workers were insured and availed free medical benefits from 6 dispensaries. Today, this number has increased to 6.25 lakh insured workers, served through 42 dispensaries across the state.

Four 100-bed ESIS hospitals have been established at Raipur, Korba, Bhilai, and Raigarh to ensure quality healthcare for insured beneficiaries.

Cashless Medical Facilities & Social Security

Earlier, insured workers had to pay for medical treatments and later claim reimbursements. Since 2014, workers can now access cashless secondary care in empaneled private hospitals.

To further strengthen service delivery and expedite case resolutions, the Chhattisgarh Employee State Insurance Society was established in 2018, providing enhanced healthcare and social security benefits to registered workers.

These consistent efforts by the Chhattisgarh Government have significantly improved the socio-economic conditions of workers across the state. Through technology-driven governance, welfare reforms, and inclusive development initiatives, the state continues to ensure dignity, security, and prosperity for its labor force — the true backbone of Chhattisgarh’s growth story.