Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) opens 3-day National Chintan Shivir “Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb” in Chandigarh to boost social justice delivery with States/UTs

Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurate National Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh

Social justice is central to India’s democratic ethos and must prioritise the poorest and most vulnerable: Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria

Viksit Bharat 2047 must be built on dignity, accessibility and continuity for the last person in the queue: Dr. Virendra Kumar

This Chintan Shivir is for discussion on implementable outcomes and actionable recommendations: Shri B. L. Verma

SAMAVESH Portal, NMBA 2.0, SETU and SMILE Apps launched at the Shivir

Nasha Mukti Mitras felicitated for grassroots efforts in combating substance abuse

Chandigarh, April 24:The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment today launched a three-day National Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh, bringing together States and Union Territories for a focused push on strengthening India’s social justice delivery architecture. The Shivir was inaugurated jointly by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar, in the presence of Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma. The event is being held on the theme “Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb: Viksit Bharat@2047”, with an emphasis on last-mile implementation, technology-enabled governance, and inclusive empowerment of marginalised communities. Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha, Minister for Social Justice and Disabled Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Shri Krishan Kumar Bedi, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs & BCs Welfare and Antyodaya, Government of Haryana; Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Minister for Social Welfare, SC & ST Welfare and Cooperative, Government of NCT of Delhi; Ms. Pi Lalrinpuii, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Government of Mizoram; and Shri Narendra Kashyap, Minister for Backward Class Welfare and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Uttar Pradesh, were also present on the occasion.

On this occasion, an exhibition showcasing key initiatives, flagship schemes, and achievements of the Ministry was inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma.

The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria described the Chintan Shivir as a vital two-way communication platform that bridges policy formulation with ground realities, ensuring that welfare benefits reach the right beneficiaries without delay. He emphasised the need for effective implementation, strong coordination between the Centre and States/UTs, and active community participation to achieve saturation and ensure no eligible person is left behind.

Appreciating the launch of the dedicated application, he noted that technology-driven solutions would streamline benefit delivery through accurate data, enhance transparency, and eliminate leakages. He stressed the need to identify implementation gaps, strengthen last-mile delivery, and adopt a more empathetic, people-centric approach in policymaking and execution.

Highlighting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the Governor said it can only be achieved through inclusive growth guided by Antyodaya. He expressed confidence that the Chintan Shivir would yield practical, time-bound recommendations to strengthen social protection and ensure dignity, inclusion, and social harmony at the grassroots level.

In his inaugural address, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar underlined that the Chintan Shivir was not a routine meeting of policymakers and administrators, but a collective platform of ideas, commitment, and shared national purpose. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 rests on the foundations of justice, equality, dignity, and opportunity, and that inclusive development must ensure that progress reaches those who have historically remained on the margins.

The Union Minister emphasised that the policy deliberations during the Shivir should be guided by three core pillars: dignity, accessibility, and continuity. He said that whether it is a student aspiring for education, a senior citizen seeking care, or a person with disability striving for self-reliance, public policy must move beyond welfare towards empowerment and ensure that systems are humane, responsive, and inclusive.

Highlighting the importance of accessibility and continuity, Dr. Virendra Kumar said that benefits meant for the people must not remain confined to policy documents and should reach intended beneficiaries without procedural barriers. He referred to technology-enabled and integrated approaches, including simplified scholarship systems, service access for senior citizens, and support structures for disadvantaged youth, as essential elements of long-term and transformative empowerment.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri B. L. Verma said that the Chintan Shivir reflects the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, under which the Centre, States, and Union Territories come together as one team to strengthen the delivery of welfare schemes. He noted that the programme embodies the Government’s resolve for “Viksit Bharat @2047”, with social justice at its core, and seeks to ensure equality, dignity, and inclusion for every citizen, particularly those from disadvantaged and vulnerable sections. Shri Verma underlined that the Ministry is working with full commitment to translate this vision into tangible outcomes through well-designed policies, targeted programmes, and effective service delivery mechanisms.

Shri Verma highlighted that the Ministry’s foremost priorities in the field of social justice are reaching the deprived, improving accessibility of services, simplifying procedures, and ensuring beneficiary-centric governance. He said the Chintan Shivir has been designed not merely for discussion but to arrive at implementable outcomes through thematic group work, sharing of best practices, and the preparation of actionable recommendations.

The Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudhansh Pant, said that this Chintan Shivir reflects the commitment to reach the last person first and to ensure that development is inclusive and transformative.
The Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. V. Vidyavathi, said, “The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 cannot be achieved without an Inclusive Bharat, where all sections of society, including persons with disabilities, are fully included and empowered to participate in all aspects of development.”

A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of several digital platforms and knowledge resources aimed at strengthening accessibility, transparency, and service delivery. These included the SAMAVESH Portal as a single access mechanism for multiple verticals of empowerment and social harmony, the NMBA 2.0 App for reinforcing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the SETU App for streamlining scholarship-related services, and the SMILE App for outreach and rehabilitation of vulnerable groups.

On the occasion, a publication on Minimum Standards for Dementia Care Homes and Model Guidelines for Beggar Homes was also released to support States and UTs in strengthening institutional care, rehabilitation frameworks, and service quality. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and partner institutions to expand capacity building, training, and research initiatives in the social sector.

Nasha Mukti Mitras from various States and Union Territories were also felicitated in recognition of their commendable grassroots efforts in spreading awareness and combating substance abuse. Their dedication and active engagement were acknowledged as instrumental in advancing the objective of a drug-free society.

The Chintan Shivir will continue over the next two days with thematic discussions, breakout sessions, and group presentations focused on actionable recommendations for strengthening the delivery of social justice and empowerment programmes.