CM Launches Second Phase of Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana; 17 Lakh More Women to Benefit
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*Women from Families with Annual Income up to Rs. 1.80 Lakh to Now Receive Rs. 2,100 per Month*
*Government Resolute to Honour Skills, Recognise Hard Work and Create Opportunities for Artisans, says Nayab Singh Saini*
*Rs. 33.96 Crore Grant Released to 3,396 Government Schools for Sports Activities*
*‘SEVA First Innovation Challenge’ Portal Launched to Provide Youth and Innovators a Platform to Present Innovative Ideas*
Chandigarh, September 17 – Taking yet another significant step towards the economic empowerment of women, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, on Thursday launched the second phase of the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana. Women belonging to families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh will now receive Rs. 2,100 per month under the scheme. In the first phase, more than 10 lakh women from families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1 lakh are receiving the benefit. With the enhancement of the income limit, around 17 lakh more women will now benefit from the scheme.
The Chief Minister was addressing a programme organised in Mahendragarh on the occasion of Bhagwan Vishwakarma Jayanti. On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured the valour and contribution of soldiers and paid his respects to serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and Veeranganas for their service and sacrifice for the nation.
The Chief Minister also released a sports grant of Rs. 33.96 crore to 3,396 Government Senior Secondary Schools and Government High Schools at the rate of Rs. 1 lakh per school. Besides, under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan dedicated to the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public life, he launched a new and forward-looking initiative, the ‘SEVA First Innovation Challenge’.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the portal will provide students, startups, entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, grassroots innovators and ordinary citizens of the State an opportunity to present their innovative ideas, technologies, products and solutions. To ensure that this opportunity reaches every citizen of the State, prizes have been instituted to encourage participants. The best innovation selected from each district will receive a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. In addition, the top three innovations selected at the State level will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh along with special State-level recognition.
The Chief Minister also released Rs. 48.91 crore under various schemes into the bank accounts of 64,783 workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments.
Extending heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the State, particularly artisans, craftsmen and workers, on Bhagwan Shree Vishwakarma Jayanti, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in Indian culture, Bhagwan Shree Vishwakarma is revered as the deity of creation, craftsmanship, skill and construction. His worship inspires people to perform their work with skill, honesty, hard work and responsibility.
He said that Bhagwan Vishwakarma Jayanti is a festival that reflects our faith in construction, creation and skill. In Indian philosophy, the five elements i.e earth, water, fire, air and space are considered to have an important role in the creation of the universe, and Bhagwan Shree Vishwakarma is remembered as the divine architect who gave these elements an organised form.
*Artisans to be Empowered with the Spirit of ‘Mera Hunar, Meri Pehchan’*
The Chief Minister said that the Vishwakarma community is a community of skilled, hardworking and honest people. Through their skills and hard work, members of the community have always lived with self-respect. Artisans, craftsmen and workers of the Vishwakarma community have also made a significant contribution to the building and development of Haryana.
He said that in nearly six decades since the formation of Haryana, the State has covered a long journey of development. Haryana has today emerged as an important hub for automobiles, IT and various industrial sectors. Modern highways, expressways, railways and Metro facilities have expanded across the State. The contribution of hardworking artisans and workers to this development journey has been extremely significant.
*PM Vishwakarma Yojana Providing Artisans Skill Training, Toolkit Support and Credit Facility*
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana has been launched to give new recognition and market access to the skills of traditional artisans and craftsmen. Under the scheme, a stipend of Rs. 500 per day is provided during skill training, along with assistance for modern toolkits and collateral-free loans. Support is also provided for branding, packaging and marketing of products, as well as for accessing markets through e-commerce platforms.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that 41,366 applicants have been registered under the scheme in Haryana. Of these, 30,655 artisans have completed skill training and around 12,000 artisans have been provided toolkits. Around 6,000 artisans have been provided loans amounting to Rs. 56 crore.
He said that Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, established at Dudhola in Palwal district, is emerging as a distinctive model for the country in the field of skill-based education and training.
The Chief Minister said that the day also marks the birthday of the tireless Karmayogi, great son of Maa Bharati and the country’s Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. He extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the State on the Prime Minister’s birthday.
He said that the life of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, is an inspiring example of service, dedication and nation-building. The Prime Minister has dedicated every moment of his life to the country’s progress, the welfare of the poor and the upliftment of the person standing at the last rung of society.
Inspired by this spirit of service, the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ has been launched in Haryana and will continue till October 17. Through the campaign, public participation is being ensured in activities related to service, health, cleanliness and development.
The Chief Minister said that a statue of Maharaja Shoor Saini Ji was also unveiled at Kainchi Chowk today. He said that the statue will continue to inspire future generations with the values of courage, self-respect, valour and dedication towards society.
*Several Initiatives for Empowerment of OBCs*
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, several steps have been taken for the welfare of all sections of society in keeping with the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes and providing 27 percent reservation for OBCs in higher education have been important steps. OBC students are also being provided educational assistance through schemes such as PM-YASASVI.
He said that several schemes have also been implemented in Haryana keeping in view the interests of the Backward Classes. Children belonging to Backward Class families with an annual income of up to Rs. 3 lakh are being provided loans of up to Rs. 15 lakh for higher education in the country and up to Rs. 20 lakh for studies abroad at an annual interest rate of 4 percent. Assistance is also being provided through scholarship schemes and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojana.
The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Unorganised Workers Social Security Board and the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board have been constituted for the welfare of workers engaged in the unorganised sector.
He said that, including the amount released today, the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has spent Rs. 3,976 crore on the welfare of construction workers under various welfare schemes during the last 12 years.
The Chief Minister said that registered construction workers are being provided a monthly pension of Rs. 3,500 after attaining the age of 60 years. The disability pension has been enhanced to Rs. 3,000, with a provision of an additional Rs. 1,000 after the age of 60 years.
In cases of disability caused by an accident at the workplace, financial assistance ranging from Rs. 1.50 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh is provided. In case of death in an accident, financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh is provided to the family under the Mukhyamantri Samajik Suraksha Yojana.
He said that a policy has also been implemented for the prevention of serious diseases such as silicosis among workers engaged in construction and industries and for the rehabilitation of affected workers. Assistance amounting to around Rs. 38 crore has so far been provided under the policy.
*Empowered Artisans Key to a Stronger Haryana and Viksit Bharat*
The Chief Minister said that the economy of the State and the country cannot be further strengthened unless craftsmen, artisans and small entrepreneurs are empowered. The Government is committed to ensuring that skills are honoured, hard work is recognised and artisans get the opportunities they need to move forward.
He said that when artisans are empowered, Haryana will become stronger, and a stronger Haryana will further strengthen the dream of a Viksit Bharat.
Every hand should have work, every effort should receive recognition and every home should have a reason to celebrate. Haryana’s artisans should be able to say with confidence, ‘Mera Hunar, Meri Pehchan’, said the Chief Minister.
*Government Resolute to Honour Every Skill, Recognise Every Effort and Provide Every Hand an Opportunity to Progress- Health Minister Arti Singh Rao*
Health Minister, Ms Arti Singh Rao, said that Bhagwan Vishwakarma Jayanti conveys the message of creation, work, skill and hard work. Artisans, workers and skilled people have made a significant contribution to the progress of the country and the State. Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, has accorded due recognition to labour and skills and provided new opportunities for artisans to move forward. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is also an outcome of this vision.
She said that the Government is committed to ensuring that every skill is honoured, every effort is recognised and every hand gets an opportunity to move forward. Extending birthday greetings to Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, she wished him a long life.
Ms Arti Singh Rao said that the statue of Maharaj Shoor Saini Ji was also unveiled today, symbolising respect for the region’s pride, self-respect and tradition of valour.
Describing Mahendragarh as the land of the brave, Ms Arti Singh Rao said that almost every family in South Haryana has a deep association with the armed forces and service to the nation. She said that two meetings have already been held regarding the proposed Memorial at Nasibpur and its drawing has also been approved. She expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would soon lay the foundation stone of the memorial.
Giving details of the expansion of healthcare facilities in the region, the Health Minister said that the tender for construction of the hospital at Satnali has been finalised and the work is targeted for completion by July 2027. An approval of around Rs. 23 crore has been received for the Sub-Divisional Hospital at Mahendragarh. The construction work will begin soon after completion of the tender process.
She thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of development projects worth around Rs. 135 crore. She said that the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, being organised from September 17 to October 17, is a comprehensive campaign dedicated to public service. She called upon the people to actively participate in the campaign. On the occasion, she also announced Rs. 11 lakh for the Sabha.
*PM Narendra Modi Giving New Direction to the Nation as the Karmayogi Architect of a New India- Dr Archana Gupta*
BJP State President, Dr Archana Gupta, said that the day holds special significance as it marks the birth anniversaries of two architects who, in their respective spheres, have set new examples of creation, development and service to the nation. While Bhagwan Vishwakarma is revered as the deity of creation, architecture and craftsmanship, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, is giving a new direction to the country as the Karmayogi architect of a new India.
She said that the worship of Bhagwan Vishwakarma conveys the message that creation is not accomplished merely with bricks and stones, but through skill, hard work, imagination and resolve. Today, the country’s workers, artisans, craftsmen, engineers and skilled workforce are carrying forward this tradition.
Dr Archana Gupta said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s public life has been a continuous journey of service, dedication and nation-building. During his 25 years of public life, several initiatives have been undertaken in areas such as welfare of the poor, women empowerment, opportunities for the youth, digital transformation, self-reliance and expansion of infrastructure. On his birthday, programmes related to service and public participation are being organised across the country.
She said that through the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ being organised in Haryana from September 17 to October 17, efforts are being made to take the Prime Minister’s 25-year journey of public service to every citizen and ensure the participation of different sections of society.
Dr Archana Gupta called upon the people of the State to imbibe Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s resolve of service and nation-building and play an active role in building a developed, self-reliant and empowered India.
Member of Parliament, Ch. Dharambir Singh, and MLA, Sh. Kanwar Singh Yadav, also addressed the gathering and placed the demands of the region before the Chief Minister.
Cabinet Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma, MLAs, Sh. O.P. Yadav and Sh. Umed Patuwas, former Member of Parliament, Sh. Ram Chander Jangra and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
No. IPRDH/2026