Important Decisions of Chhattisgarh Council of Ministers | Chhattisgarh | 07 Sep 2022

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the decision to constitute separate departments for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes was taken along with many other important decisions.

Key Points

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers, it was decided to constitute separate departments for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes. This will enable the implementation of welfare schemes and programmes run for these sections in a more systematic manner.
• Transfer, deputation, merger, attachment of persons appointed to district level and division level posts of class III and IV in the scheduled areas of Bastar and Surguja divisions notified by the state government and Korba and Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi of Bilaspur division will not be done outside the district and division.
• The draft amendment was approved in the Interest Subsidy Rules 2021 on cooperative loans of farmers, according to which small and marginal farmers will get short-term loans up to Rs 3 lakh without interest for horticulture works, fisheries and gopalan.
• In the interest of farmers in the state, it was decided to construct Krishi Bhawan in Sector 19 of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar like other departments to implement the activities of agriculture and related departments like horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry etc. from one place. For this, it was decided to allot land in one rupee token.
• Chhattisgarh State Hydro Electric Project (Pump Storage Based) Installation Policy 2022 was approved to encourage investment for setting up pump storage based hydro power projects in the state.
• In order to encourage the establishment of small hydro power projects, the proposal for enhancement was approved in the Departmental Policy-2012. It was decided to increase the notification issued for setting up of small hydro power project of 25 MW capacity at present, which expired in February 2022, by 10 years.
• It was decided to construct pucca roads in the service bank of irrigation canals of the Water Resources Department under the head of other construction departments instead of being done under the head of the Water Resources Department, so that the amount of irrigation department can be used to increase irrigation potential in the state.
• Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, post-facto approval was given to produce a short film focusing on the culture of Chhattisgarh and a documentary on the creation of a new India in 75 years of independence and the next 25 years.
• It was decided to extend the period of guarantee sanctioned to the department for availing loan to meet the state share under The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) from March 2022 to December 2024 (Mission Period).
• In-principle approval was given to the financial structure approved by the State Level High Power Steering Committee for the implementation of Mission Amrut 2.0 scheme. In the Mission Amrit 2.0 scheme, 169 urban bodies of the state have been included, under which the work of water supply and augmentation scheme in urban bodies is to be done on priority.
• Under Component-C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme, 810 Megawatts (DC) for energizing agricultural feeders through solar energy Departmental proposal to set up solar power plants of 675 megawatt (AC) capacity was approved.
  • With the solarization of agricultural pumps, farmers will also get solar energy in addition to the electricity currently received for the operation of agricultural pumps. Therefore, at the time of solar energy availability, agricultural pumps will be operated with solar energy and if solar energy is not available, the electricity currently available will continue.

Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games to be Held in State | Chhattisgarh | 07 Sep 2022

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the Council of Ministers decided to organize Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games from this year, taking a new initiative towards promoting local and traditional sports in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• In chhattisgarhia Olympics, where sports competitions like kabaddi, kho-kho to tennis ball cricket will be held in rural and urban areas, children to 100 years old will also be able to participate as participants. The special thing is that to participate in the Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games, it is mandatory for the player to be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh.
• Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Gedi, Pithul, Volleyball, Hockey and Tennis Ball Cricket are included in chhattisgarhia Olympic Games-2022.
• The competitions for these games will be held in both men's and women's categories. This Olympic Games will be held at four levels - Gram Panchayat, Block, District and State level. At the state level, Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games will be held in the capital Raipur.
• For technical assistance in organizing these games, the cooperation of sports coaches of Chhattisgarh Sports Development Authority, representatives of state and district sports associations and physical training teachers of education department will be taken.
• The talented players of Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games-2022 will be prepared by sports coaches (coaches) for national and international competitions. This will be a golden opportunity for athletes to enhance their career as a sportsperson at the national and international level.
• Separate committees will be formed by the state government for the sports event to be held at gram panchayats and 146 block level. The conveners of the committees formed at the gram panchayat level will be the sarpanch and the convenors of the committees formed at the block level will be the development block officers. Budget will be made available for gram panchayats and development blocks for food, transportation and other facilities of the players participating in the games.

Establishment of Small Hydroelectric Projects to Get a Boost in Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | 07 Sep 2022

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the cabinet decided to increase the duration of the small hydropower policy by 10 years.

Key Points

• In the cabinet meeting, the proposal to increase the period of Departmental Policy-2012 to encourage the establishment of small hydro power projects in the state was approved.
• It was decided to increase the notification issued for setting up of small hydro power project of 25 MW capacity at present, which expired in February 2022, by 10 years.
• It is worth mentioning that the Small Hydro Electric Policy was launched by the Department of Energy in the year 2012 to encourage the establishment of hydro power projects up to 25 MW capacity under small hydro power projects, whose deadline has expired in February, 2022 after 10 years.
• According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India and Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission, it is in the state's interest to extend the duration of the Small Hydro Electricity Policy with a view to encourage proper exploitation and investment of available water sources in the state.
• It is noteworthy that power management in peak hours is a big problem for the distribution company of the state. Therefore, under pump-based hydro power projects, additional power can be generated in peak hours by proper storage and management of water, which will help in meeting the power management and energy purchase obligation of the state distribution company.
• At present, small hydro power projects of 75.65 MW capacity are being operated in the state. Further, PPA execution by investors for small hydro power projects of about 83 MW capacity is under process and inter-State clearance of projects of 171 MW capacity is under process.
• After preliminary survey, about 25 sites have been identified for setting up of small hydro power project of 385 MW capacity. In order to attract investment in small hydro power projects in the state, it has been decided to extend the duration of small hydro power policy by another 10 years.

Chhattisgarh Scheduled Caste Advisory Council | Chhattisgarh | 07 Sep 2022

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has decided to constitute a Scheduled Caste Advisory Council for prompt action in the interest of scheduled castes and recommendations in policy matters related to them.

Key Points

• The objective of the formation of this council is to bring about a rapid positive change in the betterment of scheduled castes and their standard of living in Chhattisgarh and to make them educationally, socially and economically competent.
• With the formation of this council, better monitoring will be done along with getting meaningful consultations for the implementation of schemes and programs run in the interest of scheduled castes in the state.
• Based on the recommendation of the council, the government-administration will be able to take necessary reform decisions for the betterment of the Scheduled Castes.
• In the council, the elected representative members of this class will participate in resolving the situation and problems of the society. This will facilitate the implementation of welfare programmes for the Scheduled Caste category.
• It is noteworthy that Chhattisgarh Scheduled Tribe Advisory Council has already been constituted for recommendation on the subject related to scheduled tribes in Chhattisgarh State. On the same lines, a Scheduled Caste Advisory Council will be formed in Chhattisgarh.
• The problems and needs of a particular class will be considered in this council. At the same time, decisions related to the welfare of Scheduled Castes will be taken.
• The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh will be its chairman and the minister in charge will be the vice-chairman. There will be a total of 20 members in the council, out of which there will be at least 5 elected members of the Scheduled Castes in the State Legislative Assembly and the remaining members will be nominated by the State Government. In-charge Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department will act as the secretary of this council.