The Chhattisgarh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday endorsed a package of Rs545 crore for providing relief to consumers on electricity rates.
In the meeting, the Cabinet also decided to give relaxation in electricity rates to consumers, farmers and industries, officials informed.
A total of 40 lakh household consumers of the State will be given relaxation from payment of 37 paise per unit VCA charges till March 2017. The State Government will provide subsidy of Rs95.61 crore for the same.
A total of 3.46 lakh farmers of the State will be provided relaxation in payment of 37 paise per unit VCA charges upto their eligibility for free units of electricity, for which the State government will provide subsidy of Rs94.78 crore.
The mini steel plants and re-rolling mills of the State which are getting electricity supply from Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company ltd (CSPDCl), will be given concession of Rs1.40 per unit on energy charge till March 2017. The State Government will provide subsidy of Rs355 crore for the same.
The Cabinet has also decided to extend the fixed duration, under which normal cases can be withdrawn from the court. The prescribed duration for withdrawal of cases under Sections 294, 323, 279, 336, 341, 342, 337, 447, 448,506 of Indian Penal Code, Excise Act 34 (A), Motor Vehicle Act, Police Act, Public Electricity Act Section 13, and other such crimes, for which provision of six month imprisonment or penalty of upto Rs5,000 is defined,
or the cases of Arms Act 25 (1) (B)(B) related to confiscation of knife, non-fire arms with punishment of maximum 3 years imprisonment and penalty, has been extended from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2014.
likewise, duration of cases registered against tribal people of tribal sub-scheme/scheduled areas under Chhattisgarh Excise Act 1915 has been extended from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2015.
In the same sequence, till second week of May 2016, District Magistrates have issued orders for case withdrawal in total 1892 cases. Out of these recommended cases, applications for withdrawal in total 1718 cases have been submitted.
Moreover, under Section 21 of Chhattisgarh Motor-vehicle Taxation Act 1991 and as per the traffic mutual agreement between Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, vehicles of Madhya Pradesh entering Chhattisgarh from lauji or Salhetekri will be given relaxation in tax till Dongargarh and the ones entering from Dindauri will be given relaxation in tax till Kabeer Chabutra, if the tax of Madhya Pradesh is paid.
A Special Purpose Vehicle is to be formed for implementation of Smart City Project in Raipur and Bilaspur.
The Cabinet has taken the decision for construction of houses for Government employees in all 146 block headquarters of the State. This scheme will be implemented by Chhattisgarh Housing Board.
Under this scheme, nearly 6,424 houses of various categories will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs827 crore. land for this scheme will be provided by District Collectors. Target to complete this scheme within two years has been set.
As per the notification of Government of India for government employees, the Chhattisgarh Government has also fixed interest rate on State Provident Fund at 8.1% for duration from April 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016. This will be applicable on GPF and CPF.
The Cabinet has also decided to make amendments in Chhattisgarh Work (Allotment) Rule for merger of Directorate of Small Savings and State lotteries with Directorate of Institutional Finance.