Raipur, 05 October 2024/ Drive into Bilaspur, a rapidly growing city in Chhattisgarh, and the numerous construction sites are hard to overlook. Residential and commercial buildings, shopping complexes, and various construction projects dominate the urban landscape. Yet, the workforce (labourers) shaping this physical environment lives in informal settlements, in homes they have constructed for themselves.
In an emerging settlement in Bilaspur, away from the city, Laxmiprasad and his wife built a modest two-room mud house for their family of six. Laxmiprasad and his family have experienced a remarkable journey in securing a permanent home through the support of the state government’s scheme.
In recent years, Laxmiprasad’s family has felt the need for a larger home to accommodate all members. Eager to improve their living conditions, he proactively visited the Labour Resources Department in his town. Upon learning about the ‘Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramik Awas Yojana’, a scheme of the Labour Department providing housing assistance to construction workers, he immediately began gathering the necessary documents for his application.
After a brief wait, Laxmiprasad’s application was approved, and the family received Rs one lakh from the Labour Department. This financial assistance proved transformative, cementing their dream of owning a permanent home and reinforcing their belief that such a dream was within reach. The family pooled their resources, in addition to the government assistance, and began constructing a safe and secure home.
Laxmiprasad’s story highlights the positive impact of targeted social security schemes like the ‘Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramik Awas Yojana’. These initiatives not only provide and upgrade physical shelter but also enhance dignity, empowerment, and hope for a brighter future.
