Over the past twenty five years, the Chhattisgarh government has worked steadily to strengthen labour welfare, expand social security, and bring dignity into the lives of its workers. What began with limited administrative presence at the time of statehood has grown into a robust institutional framework covering every district of the state. Today, all 33 districts have labour offices, while 10 districts house Industrial Health and Safety bureaus, and a State Industrial Hygiene Lab operates in Raipur since 2008.
To empower workers through digital access, two major welfare boards were established — the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board in 2008, and the Unorganized Workers Social Security Board in 2011. Workers can now register, renew, and apply for benefits online through departmental portals and the Shramev Jayate mobile application, with all monetary benefits transferred directly via DBT.
As of July 31, 2025, a total of 52.75 lakh workers have been registered across organized, construction, and unorganized sectors. Since state formation, 57.24 lakh workers have benefited from Rupees 23.70 billion in financial assistance through welfare schemes. A round the clock Chief Minister’s Helpline operates in Raipur, extending grievance redressal and assistance to labourers across the state.
Reforms under the Ease of Doing Business initiative have digitized numerous labour processes, enabling online registration, license renewal, and record submission for factories, shops, and contractors. The department was honored with the Government of India’s Gold Award for e Governance in 2021 for universal access to e Shramik services.
Among the landmark initiatives is the Atal Excellent Education Scheme, launched in January 2025 to provide free education for children of registered construction workers in reputed residential schools. So far, 100 students have been admitted, with financial aid granted to 2,278 workers for home purchases or construction. Pension benefits are being provided to workers above sixty years who have been registered for over a decade, and 37 such beneficiaries currently receive Rupees 1,500 monthly.
Additionally, the Veer Narayan Singh Labour Food Scheme offers hot, nutritious meals for just Rupees five at 37 centers in 17 districts, serving nearly 8,000 workers daily. The Employee State Insurance Scheme, expanded to 32 districts, now covers 6.25 lakh insured workers, ensuring free medical services through 42 dispensaries and four 100 bed ESI hospitals located in Raipur, Korba, Bhilai, and Raigarh. Since 2014, insured workers enjoy cashless medical treatment through empaneled hospitals, reflecting the state’s commitment to accessible healthcare.
Through investment in education, healthcare, social protection, and digital empowerment, Chhattisgarh’s labour welfare model underlines a simple truth: development is meaningful only when those who build the state share equally in its progress.
