Sai government sets November 15 procurement start; approves electricity relief for 7.25 lakh households, ₹500 crore each for infrastructure and tourism missions, and ₹100 crore for sports development
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 27,2026: The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at his Civil Lines residence office on Tuesday, approved a series of major decisions covering farmers’ welfare, electricity subsidies, cashless medical treatment for government employees, infrastructure development, tourism, industrial investment and sports.
Among the key decisions, the Cabinet fixed the paddy procurement rate at ₹3,100 per quintal for the Kharif marketing season 2026-27, approved the continuation of electricity bill concessions for domestic consumers and cleared new missions for infrastructure development, tourism and sports excellence.
Paddy procurement from November 15
Paddy procurement will begin on November 15, 2026, with the government planning to purchase produce from more than 27.50 lakh registered farmers at ₹3,100 per quintal, subject to a limit of 21 quintals per acre.
Farmers registered in the previous season who possess an AgriStack ID will not need to register again. They will also be exempt from submitting a separate loan book to procurement societies. The area under paddy cultivation will be determined through the Digital Crop Survey, while biometric authentication will be used during procurement to ensure that produce is purchased from genuine farmers.
The government is establishing 360 additional procurement centres, taking the total to 3,100 for the season. The Cabinet also ratified the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s decision to dispose of surplus paddy from the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Kharif marketing seasons through auctions.
In another farmer-related decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Krishak Unnati Yojana for Kharif 2026. Input support for paddy cultivation will be calculated on a per-acre basis instead of a per-quintal basis. The change is intended to encourage crop diversification, investment in quality seeds and farm inputs, agricultural mechanisation and improved farming practices.
Electricity relief extended to March 2027
The Cabinet decided to continue the existing electricity subsidy for domestic consumers under the Chief Minister’s Energy Relief Public Campaign, also known as the M-Urja Yojana. The scheme provides concessions for electricity consumption of up to 200 units.
The eligibility period for benefits based on monthly consumption of up to 400 units has been extended from September 30, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The decision is expected to benefit approximately 7.25 lakh domestic consumers.
Cashless medical treatment for government employees
The Cabinet approved a cashless medical facility for state government employees and their dependent family members. Under the proposed system, beneficiaries will be able to receive treatment at empanelled hospitals without making upfront payments for covered medical expenses.
Prior approvals and claims will be processed through online and digital systems, reducing the need for employees to pay medical bills themselves and subsequently pursue reimbursement.
The decision is expected to provide financial relief to employees and their families, particularly during serious illnesses and medical emergencies.
₹500 crore each for infrastructure and tourism
The Cabinet approved the framework for the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Mission-2026, which will operate for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total budget provision of ₹500 crore, or ₹100 crore annually.
The Public Works Department will be the nodal department, while the Chhattisgarh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited will implement the mission.
The initiative will focus on preparing a master plan for the state’s road network, data-based infrastructure planning, advance surveys and detailed project reports, GIS-based planning, digital work management, quality assurance and road safety audits. It will also encourage public-private partnerships and innovative financing models to reduce project delays, cost overruns and construction deficiencies.
The Cabinet also approved the Chief Minister’s Tourism Development Mission, with a proposed outlay of around ₹500 crore over five years. The programme aims to improve infrastructure, connectivity, amenities, safety and cleanliness at tourist destinations while promoting homestays, private investment and tourism-related enterprises.
The mission is expected to create employment and self-employment opportunities for young people, women and self-help groups while strengthening Chhattisgarh’s visibility as a domestic and international tourist destination.
Relief for road contractors amid bitumen price rise
In view of the sharp increase in bitumen prices, the Cabinet approved financial relief for contractors undertaking road construction, renovation and maintenance projects.
The government will provide ₹130.88 crore as a budgetary grant to cover bitumen actually purchased and used in projects under the Chhattisgarh Rural Road Development Agency between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
For state-funded Public Works Department projects where tenders were received before April 1, 2026, compensation will be provided for bitumen purchased and used between October 15 and December 31, 2026. The additional expenditure is estimated at ₹70 crore to ₹100 crore.
The move is intended to support the timely completion of road works and help meet construction targets.
₹8,000 crore rail project receives equity approval
The Cabinet approved a proposal for 100% equity investment through Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Limited to expedite the 295-km Katghora–Takhatpur–Mungeli–Kawardha–Khairagarh–Dongargarh railway project, estimated to cost around ₹8,000 crore.
The project’s equity component will account for 25% of the total cost, or approximately ₹2,000 crore. The state government and the Ministry of Railways will contribute around ₹1,000 crore each. Chhattisgarh’s share will be funded through the Mineral Development Fund, the District Mineral Foundation or the state budget.
The railway line is expected to improve connectivity in areas that currently lack rail access and provide industries, farmers and tourism operators with better access to markets and employment opportunities.
Five redevelopment projects approved in principle
The Cabinet granted in-principle approval for five projects under the second phase of the state’s redevelopment plan. These involve the Government Poultry Farm in Durg, the Veterinary Hospital campus in Ramanujganj, Police Lines and land behind Ranjita Stadium in Jashpur, Budhwari Bazaar in Sakti, and government land at Rudri Chowk in Dhamtari.
The projects will be developed through a public-private partnership model, with the objective of making better use of government land, creating new public assets, generating revenue and expanding employment opportunities without placing an additional financial burden on the state government.
The Cabinet also approved the allotment of 10 acres in Khaprikala village to the Central Warehousing Corporation for storage infrastructure in Rajnandgaon district. The allotment will be subject to the prescribed premium, annual ground rent and applicable charges.
₹400 crore fruit-processing project in Rajnandgaon
The Cabinet approved the allocation of 31.55 acres of Rajgami Sampada land to the Agriculture Development, Farmers’ Welfare and Biotechnology Department for a multi-fruit processing facility at Somni village in Rajnandgaon district.
The facility will be established through the National Dairy Development Board, with an estimated investment of ₹400 crore. It will include a system for directly procuring produce from farmers and is expected to generate more than 1,000 direct and 5,000 indirect employment opportunities.
The project is intended to improve processing and marketing facilities for fruit growers and strengthen access to markets.
Industrial incentives and land management reforms
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, introducing a special incentive package for coal gasification projects involving investments of ₹1,000 crore or more. The initiative aims to promote value-added use of the state’s coal resources and reduce dependence on imports.
It also cleared amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Land and Building Management Rules, 2015, to simplify land-use procedures, facilitate industrial plot allotments and improve the utilisation of vacant or surplus land through transparent e-auctions.
The changes are expected to improve the ease of doing business and reduce disputes related to industrial land and buildings.
₹100 crore for sports excellence mission
The Cabinet approved the framework for the Chief Minister’s Sports Excellence Mission and allocated ₹100 crore for 2026-27.
The mission will establish a structured system for identifying and training athletes, beginning with school-level programmes, selection camps and the Chief Minister’s Trophy. Selected athletes will be registered in an Athlete Management System and receive training through feeder centres, state sports academies and high-performance centres.
Athletes with medal-winning potential will be placed in core and development groups across 10 sports disciplines and provided with specialised coaching, sports science support, performance analysis and exposure opportunities.
In the first phase, feeder centres will be established in Ambikapur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg, Jagdalpur and Jashpur.
Kunra to be renamed Kunwargarh
The Cabinet approved renaming Kunra Nagar Panchayat in Raipur district as Kunwargarh, restoring its historical identity. Kunwargarh is recognised as one of Chhattisgarh’s traditional 36 garhs and is known for its ancient temples, historical heritage and ponds. The decision follows a long-standing demand by local residents.
The Cabinet also approved further action to withdraw nine court cases related exclusively to political movements, in line with the recommendations of a sub-committee that met on September 30, 2026.
Administrative appointments and family pension
The Cabinet approved three new posts in the office of the Head of Department under the Good Governance and Convergence Department: Commissioner/Director, Additional Director and an expert at the Additional Director level. The positions are intended to strengthen administrative leadership, coordination and implementation of governance reforms.
It also approved a temporary Officer on Special Duty post at Pay Level 16 for one year at the Forest Headquarters in Aranya Bhawan, Naya Raipur, to accelerate coordination and supervision of work linked to the PM Gati-Shakti, PRAGATI and Parivesh portals.
In a decision concerning family pension, the Cabinet agreed to treat the service period of late Dr Rakesh Mohan Chandola, who served as an Associate Professor at Medical College, Raipur, from October 19, 1987, to January 7, 2022, as regular service for pension purposes. His eligible family members will receive family pension, arrears and applicable interest under existing rules.
