TFP Bureau, Raipur, April 17, 2025: In a significant policy push aimed at youth empowerment, trade facilitation, and industrial development, the Chhattisgarh Council of Ministers, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, approved several major decisions during a cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan today.
One of the headline decisions includes a refund of examination fees to local candidates of Chhattisgarh who appear in recruitment examinations or interviews conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission, Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board, and Special Junior Staff Selection Boards of Surguja, Bastar, and Bilaspur. This move is expected to encourage more serious candidates to participate while reducing the burden of non-serious applications and saving state resources.
VAT Waiver for Small Traders
In a relief measure for small businesses, the cabinet also approved an amendment to the Chhattisgarh Outstanding Tax, Interest and Penalty Settlement Ordinance-2025. The decision allows for waiver of pending VAT liabilities up to Rs 25,000 in cases older than 10 years. This will benefit over 40,000 small traders and is expected to reduce more than 62,000 pending litigation cases.
NIFT Campus Coming to Nava Raipur
In a major boost to higher education and skill development in the fashion sector, the cabinet approved the establishment of a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Nava Raipur. With a projected investment of Rs 271.18 crore—including Rs 21.18 crore for land, Rs 200 crore for infrastructure, and Rs 50 crore for equipment—the project aims to open new avenues for youth in the field of fashion education and support the growing textile and apparel industry in the state.
Support for Green Energy and Agriculture Waste Management
Further, the cabinet authorized the allotment of government land at concessional lease rates for setting up bio-CNG plants that will process organic and agricultural waste within urban bodies. The Urban Administration Department and concerned municipal corporations have been given charge to proceed with implementation.
Sugar Procurement from Cooperative Factories
In a bid to support cooperative sugar factories and ensure quality supply under the Public Distribution System (PDS), the cabinet approved the purchase of sugar at Rs 37,000 per tonne (ex-factory, GST extra) from cooperative units in the state for the April 2025–March 2026 period.
Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Boost
In a move to bolster local employment and promote industrialization, the cabinet gave in-principle approval to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for setting up a Heavy Earth Moving Equipment Manufacturing Plant in Chhattisgarh. For this, 100 acres of land will be allotted at a token rate, further cementing the state’s commitment to becoming a hub for heavy industries.
These wide-ranging decisions reflect the government’s strategic push toward youth development, economic growth, cooperative support, and infrastructure expansion in Chhattisgarh.
