The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, concluded a meeting, resulting in multiple significant approvals.
The Cabinet addressed the needs of specific communities that had previously been excluded from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes lists. It was decided that students from the Dhari Korwa, Baghel Kshatriya, Sansari Uraon, and Pabiya, Paviya, Paviya communities would receive benefits equivalent to those for Scheduled Tribes. Also, students from the Domra caste would receive benefits aligned with those for Scheduled Castes. These benefits include state-funded scholarships, stipends, and access to hostels and ashrams.
A major decision was made to promote renewable energy and offer financial benefits to electricity consumers under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The state government will provide financial assistance for installing solar rooftop plants on residential buildings, which will be managed by the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL). The amount of aid will vary based on the plant capacity. For example, 1 kW plants will receive ₹45,000, and 3 kW or higher plants will receive ₹1,08,000. Similar support is proposed for housing societies and residential welfare associations. The state aims to install a significant number of solar power plants in the coming years, with specific targets and financial allocations.
To bolster wildlife conservation, the Cabinet decided to establish the “Chhattisgarh Tiger Foundation Society” to focus on the conservation of tigers and the promotion of eco-tourism. The society will operate under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The society will be self-funded and will actively engage in tiger and wildlife conservation and promote eco-tourism with community participation.
The cabinet also approved the merger of the “Vivekananda Institute of Social Health Welfare & Services, Chhattisgarh (Vishwas)” with the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Narayanpur. The cabinet approved the allocation of 100 acres of land to the Horticulture Department for establishing a Horticulture College in Belgaon, Bemetara district. The cabinet also approved transferring the ‘JashPure’ brand, which markets herbal and mahua tea products made by women’s self-help groups in Jashpur district, to the state government or CSIDC to enhance market reach and promotion. This transfer will not result in additional financial burdens for the state.
To acknowledge the supreme sacrifice of police martyrs, the cabinet amended the rules to facilitate compassionate appointments for eligible family members of police personnel who died in Naxal violence. The appointments can now be in any department or district within the state.
Finally, to facilitate the exploration and development of minor minerals in Chhattisgarh, the cabinet approved the formation of the “State Mineral Exploration Trust” (SMET). A 2% royalty from all minor minerals will be deposited in the SMET fund, which will be used for exploration, infrastructure development, and technological advancements. The SMET will be established following the model of the National Mineral Exploration Trust of the Government of India.