Chhattisgarh pushes digital transformation with Rs 500 Crore AI mission and major industrial initiatives
The government of Chhattisgarh under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is focusing more on artificial intelligence, digital governance and skill development, and sees the growth of industrialization as an opportunity to follow a development roadmap guided by technology.
One of the important decisions taken by the Cabinet in recent times is its approval of the ₹500 crore “Chhattisgarh State Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission”. It aims to establish an ecosystem linking education, employment, industry and Governance, which addresses the future requirements of the State in a technology driven economy.
In the coming 5 years, the AI mission aims to create 100 AI data labs, five centres of excellence and catalyse over 300 AI startups. The government also intends to conduct the AI training programme for approximately six lakh students and 1.5 lakh government employees so as to enhance their technical skills as well as opportunities in employment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
More than 50 state government services that leverage AI are also set to be developed. Its goal is to make public services faster, simpler and more transparent to maximize the citizens’ access to tech.
Another important area of focus is digital governance. This decision will ultimately lead to an overall digitalization of underlying processes in the Public Works Department, like work approvals, payments and quality monitoring, within the WAMIS system. The motive behind the move is to make the process more transparent, cut the opportunity for irregularities and ensure faster implementation of projects.
Chhattisgarh will also focus on industrial development along with a technology push. BEML’s manufacturing plant has been approved and is slated to be the first heavy earth-moving equipment factory in the State.
The project will further help in the fortification of the MSMEs sector, provide job possibilities and encourage investment, making the state of Chhattisgarh an emerging industrial center.
These programs illustrate the state’s commitment to fostering a mix of technology, skills, governance and manufacturing to facilitate its next generation of development.