Doubling the OBC reservation in Chhattisgarh’s 3-tier panchayat and urban local bodies from 25 to 50%, formulating a new industrial policy and relaunching its pilgrimage program are among the many Cabinet decisions announced by state government Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday. .
These decisions were taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. Sai said after the meeting that his government is expanding OBC reservation “as long as it does not exceed the number of OBCs in that body”.
This decision is important in view of panchayat and urban local body polls due next year. The CM described the decision as a “historic step to ensure social harmony and justice in the state”. However, he also clarified that this new reservation will not apply to bodies where the total reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is already 50% or more.
The new provision will also apply to reserved posts at the state level such as chairpersons of district panchayats, mayors of municipal corporations, and chairpersons of municipalities.
“Our aim is to provide equal opportunities to all social groups. This decision will increase the representation of the OBC community and bring their participation in development,” he said.
The Cabinet also cleared the New Industrial Policy for 2024-30. It aims to ensure “balanced industrial development in the state, providing investment benefits by dividing the various sectors into three categories”. The policy will be effective from November 1 until March 31, 2030.
The policy includes specific provisions for industries such as MSMEs, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, preservation of agricultural products, NTFP processing, electronic products, and IT & ITES. It also provides various incentives for key sectors such as steel, cement, thermal power, and aluminum.
The CM also unveiled a plan to develop Nava Raipur, the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh which is slated to replace Raipur. He also announced the reinstatement of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, which provides free travel to the elderly, differently abled, widows, and abandoned women to religious places outside the state.