Latest news with #VishnuDeoSai
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
In a first, cold storage facility in Dantewada dist expected to keep state's economy & grains fresh
Raipur: Focussing on preserving agricultural and forest produce for extended periods, a modern cold storage facility is being set up in Paterras region of Dantewada district in Bastar division under Prime Minister's Kisan Sampada Yojana. Bastar region is known for producing tamarind, mahua, wild mango, indigenous spices, and coarse grains like millet. However, due to a lack of proper storage and preservation facilities, between 7 to 20 percent of the annual produce is wasted. Officials said that it will be the first such govt-run facility in the country which will be a game-changer for local farmers and forest produce gatherers. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the facility will not only generate employment but also improve income levels, ensuring that produce does not go to waste and farmers can earn a fair price for their goods. With the establishment of this new facility, farmers will have access to cold storage, freezers, radiation machines, and large trucks for transporting their goods, ensuring that their produce remains fresh for a longer duration, officials said. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crores, is being managed by the District Project Livelihood College Society, an organization focused on enhancing employment opportunities in tribal areas. The facility will have a cold storage capacity of 1,500 metric tons, a frozen storage of 1,000 metric tons, five small cold rooms, a blast freezer for quickly chilling fruits, separate chambers for ripening products, and a radiation machine to prevent spoilage. Additionally, there will be three large trucks for transportation and a 70-kilowatt solar system to reduce electricity consumption. This facility will help preserve more than 10,000 metric tons of produce annually, benefiting not just Dantewada but also surrounding districts like Bastar, Bijapur, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. The project will be funded with Rs 10 crore from the central govt's scheme and Rs 14.98 crore from the district mineral fund. The cold storage facility is expected to generate around Rs 8.5 crore in annual revenue. The construction of the facility is expected to be completed in 24 administration has already made arrangements to connect local produce to markets in major cities like Raipur and Visakhapatnam, where products from Bastar will be sold both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, there are plans to establish a special 'Bastar brand' to give a unique identity to local products, helping them fetch a higher price.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chhattisgarh to widen government appointments for kin of cops killed in Maoist violence
The Chhattisgarh Cabinet on Wednesday [January 18, 2025] approved a proposal to amend the rules for government appointments on compassionate grounds for the family members of police personnel killed in Maoist violence in the State. 'Now, in cases where a police officer is martyred in Naxalite violence, any eligible family member (male or female) may opt for a compassionate appointment in any department across any district or division of the State. Previously, such appointments were generally restricted to the same department or office where the deceased was employed,' an official said, after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. In doing so, the Cabinet has amended Clause 13(3) of the Unified Revised Guidelines–2013 for compassionate appointments, the official added. Tiger foundation society The Cabinet also decided to set up a tiger foundation society to address the dwindling population of big cats in Chhattisgarh, and take measures for their conservation, the official said. The Chhattisgarh Tiger Foundation Society will function under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. A similar society has been operational in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh since 1996, an official statement added.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
This state is likely to roll back 5-day work week in government offices
A move to scrap the five-day work week in government offices has ignited a political row and triggered sharp reactions from employees, with the ruling BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh indicating that a policy reversal may be five-day week - implemented in February 2022 by the previous Congress government under then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel - was aimed at promoting work-life balance and improving administrative efficiency. Under the policy, government staff worked longer hours across five days, with Saturdays and Sundays current Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has now signalled a rollback of the system. Speaking to the media, Sai said the government was reviewing feedback from senior officers, many of whom believe the two-day weekend is hindering productivity and slowing down the pace of governance. "Even officials have said that two-day holidays are not helping them. They feel time is wasted and work is piling up, especially due to TL (time-limit) meetings on Tuesdays. Many employees also leave early by Friday afternoon, which slows down government functioning," the Chief Minister statement has drawn a sharp political response from the Congress party, which accused the BJP of dismantling progressive reform. "The CM's statement will create friction among employees. If he's so against the five-day week, let him write to the central government to revoke their similar policy too. Why reverse a decision that has improved work culture?" said Congress spokesperson and media cell chief Sushil Anand unions have also strongly objected to the proposal. Union leaders described the potential rollback as regressive, warning of protests if the decision is implemented without proper dialogue."Those advising the Chief Minister must be frustrated individuals. The five-day work week gave us time to rest and recharge, and improved our efficiency," one union leader government, however, maintains that essential public services are being affected by the current setup. Officials claim that early Friday departures, paired with weekend closures, are leading to delays in administrative work and bottlenecks in service debate comes at a sensitive time, as Chhattisgarh has crossed 100 active COVID-19 cases once again, prompting renewed health alerts. With questions being raised about the readiness and efficiency of the state's administrative machinery, the timing of this policy reconsideration has further intensified InTrending Reel
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh govt to form Tiger Foundation Society to control depleting number of big cats
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh cabinet on Wednesday decided to establish state Tiger Foundation Society, in a move for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism, which will focus on tiger conservation, over a concern towards deteriorating tiger population. Chhattisgarh presently has around 18-20 tigers. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired the cabinet meeting at his official residence in Raipur and this decision was taken during the meeting. Officials said that a similar society has been operational in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh since 1996 and Chhattisgarh's Tiger Foundation Society will function under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the state has four tiger reserves, since its foundation in year 2000. According to information, the Tiger Society will be self-financed, and will not put any additional burden on the govt exchequer. It will raise funds from individuals and institutions. This society will be directly involved in activities related to the conservation of tigers and other wildlife, the govt release said. IT added that the society will ensure availability of external funds, expertise and resources for conservation, which will provide new employment opportunities to local communities and maintain the environmental balance of the state, The statement said that the society will promote eco-tourism with the participation of the local community, which will not only increase tourism but also create employment and income opportunities for the local people. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: "These 5 Books Will Turn Your Life Around" Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Meanwhile, it will encourage environmental education, research and training, giving scope to conservationists. It will prove to be a milestone in the field of wildlife conservation in Chhattisgarh, which will protect biodiversity as well as give a strong base to promote eco-tourism, the release said. Cabinet also took other key decision and gave its nod to provide financial assistance to consumers for setting up solar rooftop plants in their houses under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to promote renewable energy. Besides the Centre's fund, the scheme will be provided with additional financial assistance from the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) for installing solar rooftop plants at the homes of domestic consumers, which will vary based on the capacity of the solar plant (1 kW, 2 kW, 3 kW and above), the statement said. A total of Rs 45,000 will be provided for a 1 kW plant (Rs 30,000 as central assistance and Rs 15,000 as state aid), while for a plant of 3 kW or more, the assistance will be Rs 1,08,000 (Rs 78,000 as central assistance and Rs 30,000 as state aid), it said. Similar assistance has been proposed for housing societies/residential welfare associations. This grant amount will be received by CSPDCL in advance and will be disbursed later to the beneficiaries. A target has been set to install 60,000 such solar power plants in 2025-26, and 70,000 solar power plants in 2026-27. This will entail a financial burden of Rs 180 crore in the financial year 2025-26 and Rs 210 crore in 2026-27, officials said. CSPDCL will be the implementing agency of this scheme as per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), it added. Cabinet approved the extension of certain benefits to communities that were technically excluded from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) lists due to technical reasons. The Dehari Korva , Baghel Kshatri , Sansari Oraon, and Pavia/Pabiya communities' students will be provided state scholarships and access to hostels/ashrams under the Scheduled Tribes category. This move aims to ensure equal opportunities for students from marginalized communities. Cabinet approved the merger of the Vivekananda Institute of Social Health Welfare & Services (VISHWAS) with Ramkrishna Mission Ashram Narayanpur. This merger aims to streamline the operations of the organization and expand its impact. A major step towards agricultural education was taken as the Cabinet agreed to provide 94.290 hectares of land in Belgav village, Saja tehsil, Bemetara district, for the establishment of a Horticulture University. This land will be provided free of cost to the Horticulture Department. In an effort to promote local products and empower women's self-help groups , the Cabinet approved transfer of the 'JashPure' brand (under which herbal and mahua tea are being produced) to the state government or Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) . This will help expand the market for these products, boost local raw material demand, and provide employment opportunities for tribal women. The transfer will not place any additional financial burden on the state.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh cabinet gives nod to amend rules to appoint kin of cops martyred in Naxal violence
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai in his cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved to amend rules for appointing on compassionate grounds the family members of the police personnel killed in Naxal violence in the state. Keeping in view the supreme sacrifice of the martyred police personnel, state cabinet has approved a pivotal change in Clause 13(3) of the Unified Revised Instructions-2013 . As per the revised policy, any eligible family member — male or female of a police personnel martyred in Naxalite violence can now be appointed on compassionate grounds in any department of the state government , not just the police department. This appointment can be made in any district or division across the state , based on the family's preference, said a govt release. Previously, such appointments were restricted to the same department or office where the deceased government employee had served. The reform comes days after the tragic death of Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Girepunje, who was martyred in an IED blast planted by Naxalites in Sukma district's Konta division on June 9. This move is being seen as a humane and flexible step toward supporting bereaved families, giving them broader options for employment and rehabilitation. State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET) to Be Formed The cabinet gave a green signal to the formation of the State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET)to oversee systematic exploration, prospecting, and infrastructure development for minor mineralsacross Chhattisgarh. Funded by 2% of royalty revenuesfrom minor minerals, the trust aims to use advanced technologies and data systemstoenhance exploration and sustainability in the sector. The initiative is modelled after theNational Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET)and is expected to boost transparency and resource efficiency.
