Raipur, Dec 31 (NationPress) Chhattisgarh is set to implement a police commissioner system starting from the upcoming year. The state government has also sanctioned Rs 5500 for each standard bag of tendu leaves, improving the earnings of those reliant on minor forest produce.

To enhance law enforcement in the capital area, the Police Commissionerate system will be introduced in the Raipur Metropolitan Police District effective January 23.

Moreover, a new permanent position of Officer on Special Duty has been established at the Police Headquarters in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, with a salary at Pay Matrix Level-14 for one year. This position will facilitate the purchase of tendu leaves from collector families at better rates.

The Cabinet has approved working capital aimed at procuring, processing, and marketing millets including kodo, kutki, and ragi. Furthermore, a one-time interest-free loan of Rs 30 crore has been authorized for the federation to manage the purchase, storage, processing, value addition, and marketing of non-nationalised minor forest produce.

In a strategic move to reduce the state's financial burden, the Council has approved a budget allocation of Rs 55.69 crore to fully settle loans taken by the Chhattisgarh State Antyavasayi Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation from five national corporations that support scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

This repayment will eliminate an annual interest outflow of approximately Rs 2.40 crore and relieve the state from a pending guarantee liability of Rs 229.91 crore upon obtaining no-objection certificates.

To promote rice milling, the incentive for parboiled rice has been increased from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per quintal, while the minimum milling period for eligibility has been shortened from three months to two months.

Additionally, the Cabinet has approved changes to the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30 to address concerns related to publicity, expert appointments, and service activity certificates, creating a pathway for enhanced investment quality, sustainable employment, and accelerated industrial development.

In anticipation of the 9th Auto Expo taking place from January 20 to February 5 at Science College Ground in Raipur, the government has introduced a one-time 50 percent discount on lifetime road tax for vehicles registered during the event.

In another relief initiative, the stamp duty on bank guarantees submitted by rice millers for custom milling activities has been reduced from 0.25 percent to 0.05 percent. These decisions underscore the government's commitment to welfare, fiscal responsibility, industrial advancement, and administrative effectiveness as Chhattisgarh embraces the new year.