RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said providing quality education and equal opportunities to children of workers was a priority of his government, stressing that their progress was essential to achieving the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh and a developed India.
Addressing a function organised at Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium to honour beneficiaries of the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana, Sai said workers formed the strong foundation of development and their contribution could be seen in the construction of roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure.
During the event, 1,45,841 workers received more than Rs 39.67 crore in assistance under various labour welfare schemes, with the amount transferred directly into their bank accounts through DBT.
Sai said the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana was launched last year with 100 children and had been expanded to 200 children this year. Selected talented students from all 33 districts are receiving free quality education from Classes 6 to 12 in reputed private residential schools, including Rajkumar College, Delhi Public School and Rungta Public School.
He said the scheme was not merely about admission to prestigious schools but about providing children with a better environment, confidence and equal opportunities to pursue their dreams.
The Chief Minister said 67 welfare schemes were being implemented through three boards of the Labour Department, covering education, healthcare, maternity assistance, disability support, pensions, skill development, employment and housing. More than Rs 774 crore had been transferred directly to workers’ accounts through DBT during the last two-and-a-half years, Labour Minister Lakhhan Lal Dewangan said.
Sai urged students to pursue their aspirations with discipline, hard work and confidence, saying economic circumstances should not become a barrier to education. He highlighted facilities for higher education in institutions such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMS in the state, besides assistance for higher studies and education abroad.
He also said new opportunities were emerging in Naxal-affected areas, with initiatives such as education cities in Orchha and Jagargunda aimed at extending quality education to children in remote regions.
The event also saw the Chief Minister interact with students and share a meal with them. Students spoke about their experiences under the scheme, with some sharing aspirations of becoming IAS officers and others describing the boost in confidence they had gained, including in speaking English.
The Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana provides free quality education in private residential schools from Classes 6 to 12 to talented children of registered construction workers, with the aim of ensuring that financial circumstances do not limit their opportunities.