State receives investment proposals worth over ₹8 lakh crore; labour housing and e-rickshaw assistance increased to ₹1.5 lakh
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 12, 2026: The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed grant demands worth ₹1,823.87 crore for the financial year 2026–27 for the departments headed by Commerce and Industry and Labour Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan.
The approved amount includes ₹1,567.86 crore for the Commerce and Industry Department and ₹256 crore for the Labour Department. Presenting the details during the discussion in the House, Dewangan said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai the state government has implemented a new industrial policy that is generating encouraging results and attracting major investments.
Industry department
The minister said the government has allocated about ₹1,750 crore in the budget to accelerate industrial development in the state. This includes ₹652 crore for industrial grants and nearly ₹700 crore for land acquisition, land development and creation of industrial infrastructure.
Dewangan informed the House that in order to make land allotment more transparent and competitive, industrial land in the state is now being allocated through an e-tendering system. The move has significantly improved transparency and resulted in a revenue increase of more than 20 per cent.
As a result of these initiatives, Chhattisgarh has invited investment from more than 140 investors and received proposals worth over ₹8 lakh crore so far. The proposals cover several emerging and key sectors including steel, power, semiconductors, textiles, information technology, business process outsourcing and clean energy.
The minister said that during the past year alone, 951 new industries have been established in the state with investments exceeding ₹8,000 crore. These industries have generated employment opportunities for more than 45,000 people since the present government assumed office.
He added that the state government is developing 23 new industrial areas and parks across Chhattisgarh, from Bastar to Surguja, to further boost industrial activity. Four of these parks will include flatted factory infrastructure designed to support small and medium enterprises.
To encourage greater participation of women in industrial employment, two working women’s hostels are being constructed in Bilaspur district. A provision of ₹20 crore has been made for this purpose.
The government is also encouraging private investors to establish industrial parks on private land. Under the state’s Industrial Development Policy, a subsidy of up to 50 per cent on infrastructure costs will be provided for such projects.
Dewangan said the government is also focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation. A budget provision of ₹100 crore has been made for the state’s Start-up Mission to support new enterprises and promote innovation among youth.
Labour department
Highlighting the initiatives of the Labour Department, the minister said a total provision of ₹128 crore has been made in the 2026–27 budget for the welfare and social security of 56 categories of unorganised workers registered under the Chhattisgarh Unorganised Workers State Social Security Board. The allocation represents an increase of around ₹3 crore compared to the previous year.
The minister said the government is taking innovative steps to improve the educational opportunities available to the children of labourers. At present, 96 children of workers are receiving free education in Class VI at institutions such as DPS Rajkumar College and Kanger Valley Academy.
He said that following an announcement by the Chief Minister, 200 children of labourers will be enrolled in the state’s excellent schools from the next academic year under the Atal Utkrisht Shiksha Yojana.
Dewangan also informed the House that in 2025 more than ₹387 crore was spent on 31 welfare schemes benefiting 32.58 lakh construction workers registered under 60 categories through funds collected as cess by the welfare board.
For organised sector workers, the state government has made a provision of ₹6 crore in the 2026–27 budget to implement 14 welfare schemes benefiting 2.01 lakh registered workers.
The minister said the Labour Department’s primary responsibility is to safeguard workers’ rights under labour laws. A budget provision of ₹30.63 crore has been made for the Labour Commissioner Organisation to ensure effective implementation of these provisions.
In a major relief measure for workers, the financial assistance for labour housing has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per house. Similarly, assistance for purchasing e-rickshaws has also been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh.
To improve industrial safety and workplace health standards, a provision of ₹10 crore has been made for the Directorate of Industrial Health and Safety. In addition, ₹5 crore has been allocated for the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory.
A budget provision of ₹76.38 crore has been made for Employees’ State Insurance services in the upcoming financial year.
Excise and commercial tax department
Dewangan also provided updates on the performance of the Commercial Tax (Excise) Department. He said the department has strengthened its workforce with the recruitment of 10 district officers and 85 excise sub-inspectors during the current financial year. The recruitment process for 200 excise constables is currently in its final stage.
The minister said that against the excise revenue target of ₹10,500 crore for 2024–25, the department collected ₹10,145 crore, which represents an increase of 20.35 per cent compared to the ₹8,430 crore collected in 2023–24. Excise revenue now contributes nearly 11 per cent of the state’s total tax receipts.
For the financial year 2025–26, the state government has set a target of ₹12,000 crore for excise revenue. As of February 28, 2026, the department had already collected ₹9,660 crore, which is about 80.5 per cent of the target.
To improve administrative efficiency, the government has proposed construction of a composite office building for the Commercial Tax (Excise) Department in Nava Raipur. The facility will house the Excise Headquarters along with the offices of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited, Chhattisgarh State Beverage Corporation Limited, the State Level Flying Squad, the State Excise Training Institute and a chemical laboratory. Hostel and training facilities for trainee staff will also be developed at the campus.
A provision of ₹15 crore has been made in the budget for construction of the composite office complex.
