Chhattisgarh Cabinet Approves Sweeping Reforms in Agriculture and Urban Land Management

Raipur, Jul 20 (KNN) In a significant move, the Chhattisgarh state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has approved a series of reforms aimed at boosting the agricultural sector and streamlining urban land management. 

The decisions, made during a crucial cabinet meeting at Mantralaya on Friday, are set to have far-reaching impacts across various sectors in the state.

One of the landmark decisions involves amendments to the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Produce Market Act. The changes will allow traders and processors registered with other state market boards to trade on the e-NAM portal without additional registration. This move is expected to enhance market access for farmers and potentially lead to better pricing for their produce.

In a noteworthy shift, the term "market fee" will now be referred to as "market fee and farmer welfare fee." Additionally, 10 per cent of the market board's gross annual income will be allocated to the Chhattisgarh State Farmer Welfare Fund, earmarked for various farmer welfare activities.

The cabinet has also taken significant steps to reform urban land management. Several previous directives and circulars regarding government land allocation, management of encroached land, and granting of ownership rights have been annulled. 

New measures include increased transparency through the publication of land allocation information on the Revenue Department's website and a streamlined process for addressing objections or complaints through the Divisional Commissioner.

The cabinet approved the draft of the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2024, paving the way for the presentation of the first supplementary estimate for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in the Legislative Assembly. This move will facilitate necessary budgetary adjustments.

In line with recent GST Council decisions, the Chhattisgarh Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was also approved. This amendment aligns state regulations with changes to the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, particularly concerning Input Service Distributors and the registration of machinery used in producing items like pan masala and gutkha.

The cabinet also authorised the presentation of the 22nd Annual Report of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission, covering the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, before the Legislative Assembly.

These wide-ranging reforms reflect the government's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, improving urban governance, and aligning state policies with national frameworks. 

The implementation of these measures will be closely watched by stakeholders across Chhattisgarh in the coming months.

(KNN Bureau)