Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Bhupesh Baghel took a number of important decisions for the state. The cabinet removed the restrictions imposed on transfers due to the COVID outbreak. Further, it also decided to increase the additional excise duty from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10. Minister Mohammad Akbar said that the cabinet has decided to roll out a new fisheries policy in the city. District Strike Force will be formed in place of constables under sanctioned help scheme which will eliminate the problem of wages in Police Department.

The Chhattisgarh Appropriation Presentation Bill for the supplementary year 2022-23 was also approved at the cabinet meeting on Thursday. In this bill, the wages of the speaker, deputy speaker, opposition leader and other members of the house were revised and approved. Amendments to Chhattisgarh Ministerial Wages Act, 1972 were also approved in the meeting. The allowable limit of CM’s Annual Independent Account was raised from Rs. 40 Crores to Rs. 70 Crores.

To give a competitive edge to the HV- 4 Steel business in the state, a special package from the State Authorities in the energy sector was approved and the same will be provided from July 1 200 to March 2023. Amendments to Chhattisgarh Electricity Bill, 1949 were also approved in the cabinet meeting.