Charan Paduka Yojana

Charan Paduka Yojana is a social welfare and digital governance initiative by the Government of Chhattisgarh aimed at providing footwear and other essential items to tendu leaf collectors in the state. Originally launched in November 2005, the scheme was revived by the Vishnu Deo Sai administration in June 2025 as part of the "Modi Ki Guarantee" electoral promises.

Background and history

The scheme was first introduced in 2005 under the Raman Singh-led government to protect tribal forest dwellers from injuries and infections caused while walking barefoot in forest terrains. In 2008, the scheme's scope was expanded to include women, who were provided with sandals (chappals) instead of shoes based on their preference. After being discontinued during the 2018–2023 period, it was officially relaunched on 29 June 2025 from Jamgaon, Durg district.

Objectives and benefits

The primary objective of the scheme is to provide safety, dignity, and convenience to the forest-dependent population.

  • Footwear Distribution: Free shoes are provided to male collectors and sandals to female collectors.
  • Health Protection: Reduces occupational hazards such as thorns, insect bites, and extreme heat during the tendu leaf collection season.
  • Target Population: The 2025-26 phase aims to benefit approximately 1.24 million (12.40 lakh) tendu leaf collector families across Chhattisgarh.

Eligibility criteria

To avail of the benefits under this scheme, an applicant must fulfill the following conditions:

  1. Must be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh.
  2. Must be a registered tendu leaf collector with the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation.
  3. Minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years.

Recent updates (2026)

In January 2026, the state government announced an additional budget of ₹50 crore for the scheme's expansion. Under the special efforts of Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, the scheme has been further streamlined to ensure that both male and female members of eligible families receive benefits in the 2026 collection season.