Chhattisgarh Cabinet approves ₹500-crore AI Mission, clears key industrial and governance reforms
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, on Wednesday approved a series of key policy decisions aimed at promoting Artificial Intelligence (AI), industrial investment, digital governance, infrastructure development, and financial reforms.
The Cabinet approved the Chhattisgarh State Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission, a five-year initiative with an outlay of ₹500 crore. The mission aims to strengthen good governance, emerging technologies, skill development, and the digital economy. Under the programme, 100 AI Data Labs, five Centres of Excellence, support for 300+ AI start-ups, and AI training for six lakh students and 1.5 lakh government employees will be provided. More than 50 AI-based public services will also be developed to improve governance. The mission has been aligned with the Government of India’s IndiaAI Mission.
The Cabinet also approved allotment of land at a concessional rate to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for setting up a Heavy Earth Moving Equipment manufacturing plant in Chhattisgarh. It will be the first such manufacturing facility in the state and is expected to boost industrial investment, generate employment opportunities for local youth, and benefit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the first phase of the Works and Accounts Management Information System (WAMIS) in the Public Works Department (PWD). Developed by C-DAC, Pune, the platform will integrate project approval, e-estimation, e-procurement, electronic measurement books, bill payments, accounts management, and quality monitoring. The government said the system will improve transparency, enable real-time project monitoring, and speed up payments.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Evam Vikas Yojana guidelines. The revised norms will expand the scheme to cover rural roads not included under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) or other schemes. The amendments also remove the mandatory requirement of earthwork under MGNREGA before constructing cement concrete roads and drains in village lanes. Funding may also be arranged through NABARD loans and other infrastructure funds, while a state-level empowered committee will oversee implementation.
The Cabinet further approved a Finance Department proposal to receive a ₹15-crore technical assistance grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Anjor LIGHT (Anjor Linked Implementation & Guidance for Holistic Tracking) project under Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision 2047. The three-year project (December 1, 2026 – November 30, 2029) will be fully grant-funded, requiring no financial contribution from either the state or the Central government. It will strengthen public financial management, PPP ecosystems, green and blended finance, state public enterprises, and create a Project Management Unit (PMU).
The Cabinet also approved implementation of the State Single Nodal Agency (S-SNA) model for state government schemes. Under the new system, funds will be routed through a centralised account, with payments released only when required. The government said the model will improve transparency, strengthen financial discipline, enable real-time monitoring, reduce the risk of fund misuse, and improve cash management.
In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved a proposal allowing the Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) to raise up to ₹200 crore through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)/Bonds for listing on the stock exchange. The move is expected to attract institutional investors, strengthen financial resource mobilisation, and support the development of the state’s power infrastructure. The state government will provide a guarantee with exemption from guarantee fees, while the Energy Department has been authorised to issue the necessary directions.
