CG cabinet clears state discom for IPO listing, incentive for farmers shifting from paddy cultivation

Raipur: In a major development, the Chhattisgarh cabinet on Tuesday gave in-principle clearance for listing the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Ltd (CSPTCL) on the stock exchange through an Indian Public Offering (IPO), adding to a growing list of Indian power companies, both state-owned and private and catering to distribution, transmission and generation, to enter the stock market.In another key takeaway from the meeting chaired by CM Vishnu Deo Sai at the secretariat at Nava Raipur, the cabinet also approved an incentive of Rs 15,000 per acre for farmers shifting from paddy cultivation to alternative crops, in a push for crop diversification and insulating tillers from unseasonal climatic events.On the move to add the state-owned power distribution firm to public listings in the stock market, the govt said it would enable citizens and investors to participate in the company’s growth while strengthening its financial capacity and improving transparency.The company’s board of directors were authorised to complete the required procedures for the listing.The cabinet gave its nod to the new format of the Krishak Unnati Yojana from the 2026 Kharif season, with a focus on crop diversification. Under the revised scheme, farmers who switch from paddy to alternative kharif crops, as well as those cultivating pulses, oilseeds, maize, kodo, kutki, ragi and cotton will receive input assistance of Rs 15,000 per acre of cultivation.The incentive will be linked to registrations on the integrated farmer portal, agristack enrolment and digital crop surveys. Officials said the measure is intended to reduce excessive dependence on paddy cultivation, improve farm incomes and promote water conservation.The cabinet also approved arrangements for the continued distribution of chickpea under the public distribution system during 2026-27.The Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation was authorised to procure chickpea through the NeML e-auction platform, while the existing arrangement was extended for three months from April to June 2026.In another decision, the govt approved the transfer of Yoga as a state subject from the social welfare department to the medical education department. Officials said the move would ensure better integration of yoga-related education, training and research activities with the AYUSH ecosystem.The cabinet also cleared a proposal linked to the Centre’s PM e-Bus Sewa scheme by authorising the state to provide a direct debit mandate under the payment security mechanism framework. The decision is expected to facilitate the operation of 240 electric buses sanctioned for Raipur, Durg-Bhilai, Bilaspur and Korba.The meeting also saw approvals to amendments to the Chhattisgarh Mineral (Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2009. The revised provisions will make RFID tags and vehicle tracking systems mandatory for vehicles transporting minerals and introduce technology-based mechanisms for assessing mineral grade and quantity.The amendments also provide for higher storage fees and security deposits for licence holders, while easing certain procedures under the ease-of-doing-business framework, including approval of additional land and merger of storage licences.Officials said the changes are aimed at strengthening monitoring of mineral movement, curbing illegal mining and improving revenue collection.