Chandigarh, Apr 24 (PTI) The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Friday launched a three-day national ‘Chintan Shivir’ here, bringing together states and Union territories for a focused push on strengthening India’s social justice delivery architecture.
The event was inaugurated jointly by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B L Verma also attended the event, a statement said.
The ‘Chintan Shivir’ 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.
On this occasion, an exhibition showcasing key initiatives, flagship schemes and achievements of the ministry was inaugurated by Kataria.
In his address, 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 ‘Chintan 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, Kumar said that benefits meant for the people must not remain confined to policy documents and should reach the 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, Governor Kataria said the ‘Chintan Shivir’ provides an important platform for states and Union territories to deliberate on key issues of social justice and empowerment and to strengthen collective efforts towards inclusive development.
He underlined that social justice lies at the core of India’s democratic ethos and that the resolve of ‘Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb — Viksit Bharat @2047’ can be realised only when the concerns of the poorest and the most vulnerable are placed at the centre of policy and governance.
Kataria emphasised the need for effective implementation of welfare schemes, close coordination between the Centre and the states and Union territories, and active community participation to ensure that benefits reach every eligible beneficiary without discrimination or delay.
MoS Verma said the ‘Chintan Shivir’ reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under which the Centre, states and Union territories come together as one team to strengthen the delivery of welfare schemes.
He 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.
The inaugural session saw 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. PTI SUN DIV DIV
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