Chhattisgarh cabinet okays power utility IPO plan, ₹15,000/ acre aid for non-paddy crop cultivation

RAipur, The Chhattisgarh locker on tues sanctioned the itemization of tell-run Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company on the stock exchange through an IPO to encourage farmers to shift from paddy cultivation to alternative Kharif crops, officials said.Several decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at Mahanadi Mantralaya Bhawan in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.The cabinet nod for CSPTCL's listing through an Initial Public Offering is expected to provide citizens and investors an opportunity to participate in the company's growth journey while strengthening its financial capacity and transparency, a government official said.The cabinet authorised the company's board of directors to complete the necessary procedures related to the proposed listing, he said.The government also approved a revamped version of the Krishak Unnati Yojana for the kharif season of 2026.Under the new framework, farmers cultivating pulses, oilseeds, maize, kodo millet, kutki, ragi and cotton, or those shifting from paddy to other kharif crops, will receive input assistance of ₹15,000 per acre, he said.The benefit will be extended based on registration on the Integrated Farmer Portal, Agristack enrolment and Digital Crop Survey data, the official said.He said the decision aims to promote crop diversification, increase farmers' income, and reduce excessive dependence on paddy cultivation. It is also expected to expand the area under pulses, oilseeds and other alternative crops while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability and water conservation.The government currently provides input assistance under Krishank Unnati Yojana to farmers against procuring their paddy. The input assistance represents the difference amount over the Minimum Support Price , provided by the state government to farmers against paddy procurement.Farmers in Chhattisgarh receive ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy, including MSP and the state's input assistance, he said.Other decisions include clearing a proposal to transfer the yoga subject from the Social Welfare Department to the Medical Education Department.The move is expected to ensure better coordination and effective implementation of yoga-related education, training and research activities, he said.In another decision, the cabinet approved sending consent to the Centre for a Direct Debit Mandate under the Payment Security Mechanism scheme for effective implementation of the Prime Minister's e-Bus Service Scheme.This decision will facilitate the operation of 240 electric buses sanctioned for Raipur, Durg-Bhilai, Bilaspur and Korba cities.The scheme will provide citizens with modern, eco-friendly, safe and affordable public transport while helping reduce urban pollution, improve energy efficiency and strengthen public transportation systems, he said.The cabinet also approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Minerals Rules, 2009.Under the revised rules, RFID tags and vehicle tracking systems will be made mandatory for vehicles transporting minerals. Modern technology-based systems will also be introduced for mineral grade determination and quantity assessment, he said.The amendments would help curb illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals, enhance transparency and boost state revenue, he added.This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.