Chhattisgarh News: Cabinet Meeting Chaired by CM Vishnu Deo Sai Approves Key Policy Decisions

The Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved multiple measures for 2025-26, including District-Level Anti-Narcotics Task Forces in 10 districts, creation of a Special Operations Group, establishment of Flight Training Organisations, the Chhattisgarh Innovation and Startup Promotion Policy, transfer of housing colonies to urban bodies, and the Cloud First policy to enhance digital infrastructure.

Several important decisions aimed at strengthening law and order, governance, innovation, digital infrastructure and urban development were taken at the Cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya (Mahanadi Bhavan) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

In a major step to curb substance abuse, the Cabinet approved the creation of District-Level Anti-Narcotics Task Forces in 10 districts of the state. A total of 100 new posts, already provisioned in the Main Budget 2025-26, have been sanctioned for this purpose. The districts include Raipur, Mahasamund, Bilaspur, Durg, Bastar, Surguja, Kabirdham, Jashpur, Rajnandgaon and Korba.

The Cabinet approved 44 new posts for the formation of a Special Operations Group (SOG) under the Special Branch of Police Headquarters, as provisioned in the Main Budget 2025-26. The SOG will be a specially trained unit tasked with immediate response to major or sudden incidents, handling high-risk situations, and swiftly neutralising terrorist attacks or other serious threats.

Establishment of Flight Training Organisations

An important decision was taken to establish Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) at various airports and airstrips across the state, along with approval of their operational guidelines. The initiative aims to develop pilot training facilities in Chhattisgarh, keeping in view the growing demand in the aviation sector and the need to generate employment opportunities for youth. The move will also promote aircraft recycling, helicopter bunking and aero sports. FTOs will be set up through private participation.

Chhattisgarh Innovation and Startup Promotion Policy 2025-26 Approved

The Cabinet approved the Chhattisgarh Innovation and Startup Promotion Policy 2025-26, which seeks to strengthen the startup ecosystem by supporting incubators and other stakeholders. The policy aims to position Chhattisgarh as a leading innovation hub in the country. Improvement in the State Startup Ranking issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is expected to enhance the state's investment attractiveness.

35 Completed Housing Colonies to Be Handed Over to Urban Local Bodies

The Cabinet decided to transfer 35 completed residential colonies developed by the Chhattisgarh Housing Board and the Raipur Development Authority to municipal corporations and municipal councils. These colonies include open plots, gardens and other public amenities, though saleable residential, commercial and semi-public properties will remain excluded.

Due to the lack of formal transfer so far, residents were facing difficulties in accessing civic amenities and were burdened with dual maintenance expenses. Following the transfer, urban local bodies will provide essential services such as water supply, electricity, roads and sanitation, offering relief to residents from additional maintenance charges.

Multi-Storey Government Office Complex at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar

Approval was granted for the construction of a large multi-storey building by the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority to house offices of government departments and corporations. Space will be allocated department-wise to ensure optimal land utilisation.

Collectors Empowered for Development of Sirpur and Arpa Areas

To accelerate planned development in the Sirpur and Arpa regions, the Cabinet authorised the respective District Collectors to allot government land in these areas. The decision supports the objectives of the Sirpur and Arpa Special Area Development Authorities, which aim for integrated riverine area development through effective land-use planning and master plan implementation. Considering the financial position of both authorities, government land will be allotted at a premium and lease rent of Re 1.

Chhattisgarh Cloud First Policy Approved

The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Chhattisgarh Cloud First Policy, proposed by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology. Under the policy, all state departments, undertakings and autonomous institutions will procure cloud services only from Government of India-approved providers or secure data and disaster recovery centres located within India.

Migration of low-priority applications and archival data will be completed by 2027-28, while high-priority services will shift to the cloud by 2029-30. All new applications will be developed using cloud-native technologies. The policy is expected to reduce IT infrastructure costs, improve efficiency, strengthen cyber security and ensure uninterrupted citizen services.

Mobile Tower Scheme to Expand Digital Connectivity

The Cabinet approved the Mobile Tower Scheme to expand digital infrastructure across the state, particularly in geographically challenging and Left Wing Extremism-affected areas. The scheme will simplify and expedite permissions and administrative approvals for selected service providers.

Mobile towers will be installed in habitations currently lacking network coverage. Improved digital connectivity is expected to boost the rural economy, enhance e-governance, strengthen security arrangements and ensure better access to services such as Public Distribution System, Direct Benefit Transfer, healthcare, education and emergency services including Dial 112.