Team News Riveting
Raipur, April 15
Chhattisgarh government led by Vishnu Deo Sai has initiated the process to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.
The state cabinet approved the constitution of a high-level committee under the chairpersonship of retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to prepare a draft for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. Chief Minister has been authorised to nominate members of the committee.
At the Cabinet Meeting held today in Mantralaya (Mahanadi Bhawan) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, a series of important decisions were taken, aimed at strengthening governance, promoting social equity, and accelerating economic development in Chhattisgarh.
At present, matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance, and family disputes are governed by separate personal laws across religions. As envisaged under Article 44 of the Constitution of India, the move towards a Uniform Civil Code is aimed at ensuring legal uniformity, simplifying judicial processes, and promoting religious as well as gender equality.
The committee will undertake extensive consultations with citizens, organisations, and subject experts, and may also invite feedback through a dedicated web portal. The draft prepared on the basis of these recommendations will be placed before the Cabinet and subsequently introduced in the State Assembly following due legal procedures.
In a progressive step towards women’s empowerment, the Cabinet approved a 50 percent reduction in registration fees for property registered in the name of women. While this decision is expected to result in a revenue loss of approximately Rs 153 crore to the state exchequer, it is seen as a vital measure to encourage asset ownership among women and enhance their financial independence.
The Cabinet has taken important decision in the larger interest of serving soldiers, ex-servicemen, and their widows by approving a 25 percent concession in stamp duty on the purchase of property (land or building) up to Rs 25 lakh within the state, once in their lifetime. Recognising the transient nature of military service, the decision seeks to provide financial relief as they establish permanent residences.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Land and Building Management Rules, 2015, ensuring clearer legal eligibility for the service sector in land allotment. The revisions introduce rational limits for land allocation, provide statutory provisions for approach roads to land bank plots, and include NBFCs and financial institutions to broaden credit access for industries.
Further, provisions related to shareholding changes in companies have been streamlined, and clearer guidelines for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models have been introduced. These steps are expected to enhance ease of doing business and attract private investment in industrial infrastructure.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Minor Mineral (Ordinary Sand) Excavation and Business Rules, 2025. Under the revised provisions, sand mines may now be reserved for public sector undertakings of the Central or State Government, including Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Limited.
This move is aimed at curbing monopolistic practices, ensuring consistent supply, improving accessibility of sand, and ensuring smooth operation of sand mines particularly in remote areas.
A wide-ranging reform of the Chhattisgarh Minor Mineral Rules, 2015 was approved to enhance transparency, strengthen regulatory control, increase revenue, and curb illegal mining.
Stricter provisions have been introduced against non-operational or inactive mines, including increased mandatory lease rates after 30 years and provisions for declaring such mines lapsed. Penalties for illegal extraction, transport, and storage have been tightened, with fines ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 5 lakh.
Additionally, provisions for bail in cases of illegal transport have been formalised, and a uniform system for royalty clearance certificates has been implemented across the state. Measures to strengthen post-contract land access, environmental compliance, and lease amalgamation have also been incorporated to ensure systematic mineral exploitation and economic strengthening.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the pilot project for the distribution of milch animals, extending its benefits to beneficiaries across all social categories, including Scheduled Tribes. Changes were also approved in the relevant clauses of the MoU with the National Dairy Development Board.
The initiative is expected to boost self-employment, increase income levels, and contribute to inclusive socio-economic development in the state.
To ensure timely availability of vaccines for preventing infectious diseases in animals, the Cabinet authorised procurement from Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad, a subsidiary of NDDB. This decision addresses delays caused by limited competition in tendering processes and the absence of rates on the GeM portal.
Vaccines required up to January 2027 in the financial year 2026–27 will be procured through this agency, ensuring disease control, reduced mortality, improved livestock productivity, and enhanced income security for farmers.
In a significant financial decision, the Cabinet approved the recovery of excess pension payments amounting to Rs 10,536 crore made by the Chhattisgarh government in previous years, in accordance with the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.
The excess payment resulted from accounting discrepancies by banks and has since been verified through joint reconciliation. Of the total amount, Rs 2,000 crore has already been paid by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in the financial year 2025–26, while the remaining Rs 8,536 crore will be paid in six annual installments. The Finance Department has been authorised to take necessary action in this regard.
In addition, the Cabinet also reviewed arrangements for fertiliser supply for the upcoming Kharif season and assessed the availability of LPG across the state to ensure uninterrupted supply.
