TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 19, 2025: A series of significant decisions were made during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai at the Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan today. The meeting focused on various sectors, including agriculture, industry, welfare, and infrastructure development in Chhattisgarh.
1. Support Price Scheme for Farmers Extended
A major announcement was made for the farmers of Chhattisgarh, ensuring that around 27 lakh farmers who sell paddy at the support price will receive Rs 3100 per quintal. This includes a direct payment of Rs 800 per quintal as input assistance from the state government in February 2025, bridging the difference from the central government’s fixed rate of Rs 2300 per quintal.
2. Online Auction for Surplus Paddy
The Cabinet also approved the online auction of surplus paddy procured during the Kharif marketing year 2024-25, streamlining the process for transparency and efficiency.
3. Energy Relief for Mini Steel Plants
In response to the ongoing industrial and economic slowdown, the Cabinet decided to provide a one-rupee per unit discount on energy charges for mini steel plants and steel industries with less than one megawatt captive power, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
4. Increased Financial Assistance for Artists
In a bid to support the cultural community, the Cabinet has increased financial aid to state artists and writers. Under the amended Chhattisgarh Kalakar Kosh Rule 1982 financial assistance will be increased to Rs 50,000 (up from Rs 25,000) for artists and Rs 1 lakh in case of death.
5. Skill Development in Financial Markets
To enhance youth skills in financial markets and planning, the state government will partner with the National Stock Exchange through an MoU under the Student Skilling Program (SSP). The program will target students from high schools, higher secondary schools, and colleges.
6. New Post in Excise Department
The Cabinet has decided to create a new post of Additional Commissioner Excise in the Commercial Tax (Excise) Department, aimed at strengthening the state’s excise administration.
7. Land Allotments for Health and Education
The government has allotted 5 acres of land to Shri Satya Sai Health and Education Trust for health services in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. Additionally, 40 acres of land will be provided at a concessional rate to establish an Art of Living Centre in the same region.
8. Housing Board Property Discounts
To promote the sale of residential and commercial properties, the Cabinet has approved 10%, 20%, and 30% discounts on properties constructed by the Chhattisgarh Housing Board, which have remained unsold for over five years.
9. PMAY-Urban 2.0 Grant Approved
The Cabinet approved a grant of Rs 3938.80 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0, benefiting over 1.32 lakh beneficiaries. This includes state shares of Rs 1450 crore and Rs 538 crore for house completion or Griha Pravesh.
10. Women’s Self-Help Groups to Construct Ready-to-Eat Meals
In support of women’s empowerment, the Cabinet decided to assign the construction of ready-to-eat meals to women self-help groups. This initiative will begin in five districts in the first phase.
11. Extension of Ordinance on Panchayat Reservation
The Cabinet also approved an extension of the ordinance related to the amendment of provisions concerning the representation and reservation of Other Backward Classes in the three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions under the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.
These decisions reflect the government’s continued focus on supporting various sectors, with an emphasis on farmers, industries, cultural welfare, and women’s empowerment in Chhattisgarh.
