Raipur: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel presided over a significant cabinet meeting where several crucial decisions were made. Notably, government employees received special announcements, including a substantial increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) by 5%. This decision, taken during the cabinet meeting, brings the total DA for government employees in the state to 38%. Furthermore, in a commendable move, the cabinet resolved to provide a government job to a member of the victim’s family in the Bhuneshwar Sahu murder case in Biranpur.
The cabinet meeting, held at the CM residence with all ministers in attendance, addressed 29 key points. The increase in DA for employees will result in an additional annual financial burden of one thousand crore rupees for the government. Additionally, the state government extended another gesture towards government employees by reducing the eligibility period for full pension from 33 years to 30 years. The minimum service period for voluntary retirement (VRS) has also been lowered from 20 years to 17 years.
To address the issue of vacant teaching positions, the cabinet decided to remove the obligation of recruiting subject-wise posts and fill 3722 vacant teacher positions along with 5577 assistant teacher positions in Bastar and Surguja divisions. Other decisions made during the meeting include the approval of the draft Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill-2023 and the reduction of market rates by 30% to facilitate affordable housing. The effective implementation of this reduction has been extended until March 31, 2024.
Furthermore, the state government has fixed the purchase price of sugar at Rs 33 per tonne to be bought from cooperative sugar factories between April 2023 and March 2024 for distribution to Antyodaya and priority ration card holders under the Public Distribution System. The pay scale of all forest guards appointed since March 26, 2003, has been increased to 3050-4590. Lastly, the cabinet made a decision to return the compensation amount paid for dedicating a total area of 1012.48 acres of land in Bilaspur village Chakarbhata for the establishment of a military cantonment by the Ministry of Defense.
Overall, the cabinet meeting led by CM Bhupesh Baghel addressed various crucial matters, focusing on the welfare of government employees, filling vacant positions, affordable housing, and other significant issues affecting the state.