TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 28, 2024: In a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai at Mahanadi Bhawan, Chhattisgarh’s government unveiled several key initiatives, including a new industrial policy aimed at balanced economic growth, expansions in social welfare programs, and updates to local governance rules.
The cabinet extended a one-year validity period for the government guarantee of Rs 14,700 crore allocated for paddy procurement through the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation. This extension is intended to support paddy procurement through October 2025 for the Kharif marketing year 2023-24.
The cabinet also endorsed significant changes in the reservation policy for three-tier panchayati raj and urban bodies elections, increasing the potential reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) up to 50% where applicable. Additionally, 97 teachers from the Panchayat cadre will be integrated into the School Education Department, with exemptions on time-bound pay scales for principals from 2007 to 2019.
A key highlight was the approval of the **Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Policy 2024-30**, aimed at comprehensive economic growth across sectors, including pharmaceuticals, IT, and food processing. The policy offers incentives to boost investments across designated developmental blocks, balancing growth across Chhattisgarh.
To foster healthcare, education, and technology growth, concessional land rates in Naya Raipur Atal Nagar were approved for sectors like IT and healthcare. Additionally, the cabinet permitted the sale of 118 acres in Bastar’s Jagdalpur for NMDC residential complexes.
In a revival of social programs, the **Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Darshan Scheme** will resume, offering free pilgrimage travel to seniors, widows, and persons with disabilities, a scheme which had previously benefited over 247,000 citizens but was paused in 2019.
Other cabinet approvals included: adoption of the National Education Policy 2020 for technical education, fee rationalization for property transfers, and the establishment of a State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
These initiatives, particularly the new industrial policy and expanded social schemes, underscore the government’s focus on inclusive development as part of Chhattisgarh’s Amritkal Vision @2047.
