Several Key Resolutions Passed at the Cabinet Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
At the Cabinet meeting held today at Mahanadi Bhawan, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, several significant decisions aimed at improving education, supporting artists, and boosting industrial development in the state were taken. The major decisions are as follows:
1. In a major step to enhance academic quality under the National Education Policy, the Cabinet approved the launch of the Mukhyamantri Shiksha Gunvatta Abhiyan in government schools across Chhattisgarh.
The campaign will focus on multiple aspects including improving the quality of education, strengthening parent-teacher engagement, and enhancing academic achievements. Detailed guidelines will be issued by the School Education Department. Social audits of schools will be conducted, and grading will be assigned based on quality parameters. Underperforming schools will be regularly monitored by officials and public representatives. Teachers from weaker institutions will be taken on educational visits to model schools. Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) will ensure active participation of guardians. Additionally, classroom teaching methodologies will be refined to boost student performance.
2. In a significant relief to financially distressed artists and litterateurs, the Cabinet approved an increase in the monthly financial assistance (pension) from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. This aligns with the announcement made during the State Budget Session. The amendment to the Financial Assistance Scheme Rules, 1986 under the Department of Culture has also received Cabinet approval.
Initiated in 1986, the scheme initially offered a pension ranging from Rs 150 to Rs 600. It was later increased to Rs 1,500 in 2007 and to Rs 2,000 in 2012. However, there had been no increase in the past 12 years. Currently, 162 artists across the state are availing of this pension. The annual pension per artist will now increase from Rs 24,000 to Rs 60,000, raising the total annual expenditure from Rs 38.88 lakh to Rs 97.20 lakh. This revision will place an additional financial burden of Rs 58.32 lakh on the state exchequer.
3. With the aim of expediting industrial development and ensuring greater transparency in land allocation, the Cabinet has approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Land and Building Management Rules, 2015.
These changes are expected to simplify and clarify the land allocation process across industrial areas, land banks, and other parcels, thereby making it more accessible for investors to understand and benefit from the system.
4. The Cabinet approved several crucial amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Policy 2024–30, making it more employment-oriented, inclusive, and conducive for enterprises. The proposed changes aim to create fresh employment opportunities and promote sectors ranging from modern agriculture to the toy industry.
Highlights of the Amendments:
* *Employment Incentives for Locals*: Companies offering jobs to residents of Chhattisgarh will receive government subsidies.
* *Promotion of High-Tech Farming*: Techniques such as hydroponics and aeroponics will be encouraged. Farmers will benefit from automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
* *Training and Sports Facilities for Youth*: Sports academies and private training centres will be incentivised, offering better career and training opportunities to the youth.
* *Encouragement for Quality Universities*: The policy will promote the establishment of high-quality universities in the state.
* *Recognition of Auto Repair & Service Centres*: Automobile repair and service centres will be formally recognised across all development block clusters.
* *Boost to Tourism and Hospitality in Bastar and Sarguja*: The minimum investment threshold for setting up hotels and resorts has been reduced, promoting tourism and creating local employment.
* *Double Incentives for the Textile Sector*: Investments in the textile industry will now attract up to 200% incentives, benefiting workers in stitching, embroidery, and weaving.
* *Development of Logistics Hubs*: A new logistics policy will be introduced to ease freight and trade operations across the state, improving market access.
* *Special Benefits for Persons with Disabilities*: The definition of ‘divyangjan’ (persons with disabilities) has been revised to allow broader access to schemes and incentives.
* *Promotion of GCCs, Defence, Aerospace and Plug-and-Play Factories*: Special packages will be offered for Global Capability Centres, defence and aerospace sectors. Infrastructure grants will be enhanced for private industrial parks, along with incentives for plug-and-play factory setups.
* *Improved Ease of Living in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas*: Areas within a 10-km radius of non-urban development block headquarters, lacking CBSE-recognised schools (with minimum 500 student capacity from Classes 1 to 12) and mini malls with multiplexes, will be included as ‘Thrust Sectors’. The first three such units will receive focused promotion.
