Chhattisgarh News : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai took several significant decisions at the cabinet meeting

The Chhattisgarh Cabinet has approved several key initiatives for 2025, including a new transfer policy, cultural projects, and affordable housing regulations aimed at enhancing community welfare and tourism.

At the Cabinet Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai at Mahanadi Bhavan today, several significant decisions were taken, which are as follows:

The Cabinet has approved the Transfer Policy of the Government of Chhattisgarh for the year 2025. Transfers at the district level will be carried out between 14 June and 25 June by the respective in-charge Ministers, and at the state level with the approval of the concerned Departmental Ministers. Applications will be accepted from 6 June to 13 June.

A minimum of two years of service is mandatory. Special provisions will be applicable in cases involving severe illness, physical/mental disability, or within one year of retirement. For transfers from Scheduled Areas, it is mandatory to appoint a substitute. Special efforts will be made to fill vacancies in districts such as Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur.

For Class III employees, transfers shall not exceed 10% of the total cadre strength, and for Class IV employees, not more than 15%. Probationary officers/employees shall not be transferred. To ensure transparency, and for maintaining spousal placement and rural-urban balance, all state-level transfer orders will be issued via the e-office system. At the district level, transfer orders must be issued within the stipulated period and a copy must be emailed to the General Administration Department on the same day.

All district-level employee attachments will be considered terminated effective 5 June 2025, and employees will be transferred as per the policy wherever their services are required. Representations against transfers may be submitted to the State-Level Committee within 15 days. After 25 June, all transfers will be strictly prohibited. In highly exceptional cases, transfers may be approved only with coordinated consent.

As per the announcement made by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai during the "Maghi Mela" Sant Samagam held in Damakheda, Simga Tehsil, Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on 23 February 2024, the Cabinet approved renaming the Gram Panchayat Damakheda as "Kabir Dharmanagar Damakheda". The Cabinet has approved renaming of Gram Panchayat Gadahabhatha (Tehsil Kawardha) to "Sonpur" and Gram Panchayat Chandalpur (Tehsil Bodla) to "Chandanpur".

3. Promotion of Art and Culture

To promote art and culture in Chhattisgarh, the Cabinet has approved the allotment of 10 acres of land free of cost to the Department of Culture in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar for setting up a 'Kalagram'. The compensation for the land will be paid to the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority. The 'Kalagram' will serve as a dedicated hub for artisans, folk artists, and traditional craftsmen, encouraging cultural exchange and providing a permanent platform for showcasing Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage at the national level.

4. Establishment of Archery Academy

The Cabinet has approved the proposal to allot 13.47 acres of land free of cost to the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare for the establishment of a national-level Archery Academy in Nava Raipur. The academy will feature both outdoor and indoor (air-conditioned) archery ranges, a high-performance centre, hostel and residential facilities. This initiative is aimed at enhancing Chhattisgarh's standing on the national sports map.

5. Affordable Housing Regulation

To provide affordable and reasonably priced plots to lower and middle-income families in urban areas, the Cabinet has approved the "Chhattisgarh Affordable Public Housing Regulation, 2025". This will facilitate the provision of basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads, and sewerage in a structured manner across urban and rural areas. It will help prevent illegal plotting and offer well-organized colony alternatives, thus creating new investment opportunities in the real estate and infrastructure sectors.

6. Yuva Ratna Samman Yojana

The Cabinet has announced the launch of Yuva Ratna Samman Yojana to honour individuals and organisations for their exceptional contributions in various areas of youth welfare. Each year, one youth and one voluntary organisation will be awarded Chhattisgarh Yuva Ratna Samman. The award includes a medal, certificate, shawl, and a maximum cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh for individuals and Rs 5 lakh for organisations.

Additionally, one youth will be selected annually in each of the following fields for their excellence and honoured with a medal, certificate, shawl, and up to Rs 1 lakh: social service, literature, innovation, education, sports, environment, women & child development, media, health, science & technology, empowerment of persons with disabilities, arts, music, and folk art. In the area of women and child development, the award will be reserved exclusively for women and girls.

Applicants must be residents of Chhattisgarh and aged between 15 and 29 years. Government employees, individuals working in government undertakings or educational institutions are not eligible. An individual or organisation may receive the award in only one category per year, and no one may receive the same category award more than once.

7. Relaxation for Coach Recruitment

To promote sports in the state, the Cabinet has approved a one-year relaxation of diploma eligibility norms from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala for recruitment of coaches under the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare.

8. Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy

To boost tourism in rural and tribal-dominated areas and to generate employment opportunities for local communities, the Cabinet has approved the Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30. The policy aims to promote tourism in villages, particularly in remote areas of Bastar and Sarguja. It will offer tourists a unique experience of local culture, art, crafts, and nature while directly benefiting rural residents by increasing their income. This initiative aligns with the "Vocal for Local" mission and is expected to play a pivotal role in the development of rural tourism in India.