Raipur : 17 April 2025 : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today chaired an important meeting of the Chhattisgarh Cabinet at Mahanadi Bhavan, wherein several key decisions were taken to promote public welfare, economic growth, and industrial development in the state.

* The Cabinet has approved a landmark decision in the interest of youth preparing for competitive examinations. Local residents of Chhattisgarh appearing for examinations or interviews conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission, Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board, and Special Junior Staff Selection Boards in Surguja, Bastar, and Bilaspur will be reimbursed the examination fees paid by them. This measure aims to encourage serious candidates, increase their participation, and reduce the number of non-serious or ineligible applicants, thereby minimizing financial losses to the state exchequer.

* In a major step to support small traders, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Outstanding Tax, Interest, and Penalty Settlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. Under this, the state government will waive Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities up to ₹25,000 for cases pending for over 10 years. This initiative is expected to benefit over 40,000 traders and reduce more than 62,000 litigation cases, creating a conducive environment for small businesses.

* The Cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The project, under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is estimated to cost ₹271.18 crore, comprising ₹21.18 crore for land acquisition, ₹200 crore for building construction, and ₹50 crore for machinery and furniture. The institute will provide new opportunities for the state’s youth in fashion education and supply technically skilled human resources to the fashion industry. Established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, NIFT is a premier institution with 17 campuses across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion design, management, and technology, collaborating with the industry to provide practical experience and placement opportunities.

* To promote sustainable waste management, the Cabinet has agreed to allot government land at concessional lease rates for the establishment of Bio-CNG plants to process bio-waste and agricultural waste in urban local bodies. The Urban Administration Department and respective municipal corporations have been authorized to undertake further actions.

* The Cabinet has decided that sugar required for distribution under the Public Distribution System from April 2025 to March 2026 will be procured from cooperative sugar factories in the state. The purchase price has been fixed at ₹37,000 per tonne (ex-factory, excluding GST).

* To promote local employment and micro-small industries, the Cabinet has granted in-principle approval to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for setting up a heavy earth-moving equipment manufacturing plant in the state. The project will be supported by the allocation of 100 acres of land at a token rate.

These decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic empowerment across various sectors.