The cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, met at Mahanadi Bhawan, resulting in several pivotal decisions. A significant resolution involved honoring the sacrifice and valor of Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Girepunje, who lost his life during an anti-Naxal operation in Sukma district. The cabinet approved a compassionate appointment for his wife, Sneha Girepunje, as Deputy Superintendent of Police in the State Police Service. The officer was martyred on June 9, 2025, in a bomb explosion.
The cabinet also greenlit an amendment to the state’s solar energy policy aimed at promoting non-conventional energy production, thereby reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. Key decisions from the meeting include:
* **Policy Extension:** The revised policy will remain in force until 2030, or until the state government introduces a new solar energy policy.
* **Industrial Incentives:** Solar energy projects will now be categorized as priority industries, benefiting from the state’s industrial policy.
* Investors will be eligible for various incentives like interest subsidies, capital cost subsidies for micro-industries, GST reimbursements for various industry sizes, electricity duty exemptions, stamp duty exemptions, grants for project report preparation, land use change fee waivers, reduced fees for land acquisition from land banks, land premium exemptions for specific entrepreneur groups, employment grants for disabled individuals, and special packages for mega and ultra-mega projects.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the appointment of Rita Shandilya, currently serving as a member and executive chairperson of the Public Service Commission, as the chairperson of the Public Service Commission.
The cabinet also decided to increase the monthly honorarium for retired media personnel under the Chhattisgarh Senior Media Personnel Honor Fund from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, as announced in the 2025-26 budget.