The Chhattisgarh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, concluded a meeting at his official residence. Several significant decisions were approved.
The cabinet decided to provide certain benefits to students from communities previously excluded from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes lists. Students from the Dhari Korwa, Baghel Kshatriya, Sansari Uraon, and Pabiya, Paviya, Paviya communities will receive benefits equivalent to those for Scheduled Tribes, while students from the Domra caste will receive benefits equivalent to those for Scheduled Castes. This includes state scholarships, stipends, and admission to hostels and ashrams.
A major decision was made to promote renewable energy and provide 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. Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) will implement the scheme. The financial aid will vary based on the plant capacity. For example, 1 kW plants will receive ₹45,000 (₹30,000 from the center and ₹15,000 from the state), and 3 kW or higher plants will receive ₹1,08,000 (₹78,000 from the center and ₹30,000 from the state). Similar assistance is proposed for housing societies/residential welfare associations. The state aims to install 60,000 solar power plants in 2025-26 and 70,000 in 2026-27, with a financial impact of ₹180 crore and ₹210 crore, respectively. Priority will be given to those consumers whose solar plants are grid-synchronized on or after April 1, 2025.
In a move to conserve wildlife, especially tigers, and promote eco-tourism, the cabinet decided to form the “Chhattisgarh Tiger Foundation Society.” The society will operate under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The primary goal is to protect the declining tiger population in Chhattisgarh. The society will be self-funded, generating resources from donors. It will be directly involved in tiger and wildlife conservation efforts and will promote eco-tourism with the participation of local communities, creating employment opportunities. The society will encourage environmental education, research, and training.
The cabinet approved the merger of the “Vivekananda Institute of Social Health Welfare & Services, Chhattisgarh (Vishwas)” with the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Narayanpur. It was also decided to provide 100 acres of land to the Department of Horticulture for establishing a Horticulture College in Belgaon, Bemetara district. Furthermore, the cabinet 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 expand market reach and boost marketing. This transfer will not impose any additional financial burden.
To honor the supreme sacrifice of police martyrs, the cabinet amended clause 13(3) of the consolidated revised instructions-2013 for compassionate appointments. It allows eligible family members (male or female) of police personnel martyred in Naxal violence to receive compassionate appointments in any department or district of the state, instead of the deceased’s department.
Finally, to facilitate systematic exploration, prospecting, and infrastructure development of minor minerals in Chhattisgarh, the cabinet approved the draft notification for 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 on the lines of the National Mineral Exploration Trust of the Government of India.