Chhattisgarh Budget | 04 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

The Chhattisgarh Finance Minister presented the Rs 1,65,000 crore Budget in the State Assembly and unveiled measures to reduce red-tapism and boost capital expenditure.  

• He also introduced the acronym GATI (good governance, accelerating infrastructure, technology, and industrial growth) to highlight the government's vision. 

 Key Points 

• Reform Push: 
  • The government has set a target of implementing 216 reforms in 20 departments in the first phase to promote ease of doing business. 
  • The Business Reform Action Plan aims to enhance transparency and simplify rules. 
  • Digitisation initiatives are being implemented at various levels to prevent fraud, curb corruption, and enable paperless and faceless processes. 
  • A new land registration system, similar to passport office procedures, will be introduced for simplification. 
  • A fixed Rs 500 charge will replace high fees for relinquishment and division of assets, helping prevent revenue disputes. 
• Sectoral Initiatives: 
  • New initiatives announced for education, rural development, urban infrastructure, and security. 
  • Special schemes will focus on transport and mobile connectivity in remote tribal regions like Bastar and Sarguja. 
• Budget Estimates & Growth Projections: 
  • Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the upcoming fiscal is projected at Rs 6,35,918 crore, marking a 12% growth from the 2024-25 estimate of Rs 5,67,880 crore. 
  • Capital expenditure has increased by 18%, from Rs 22,300 crore to Rs 26,341 crore. 
• Infrastructure and Road Plan 2030: 
  • The budget allocates Rs 2,000 crore for road construction, the highest since the State’s creation. 
  • Road Plan 2030 will connect the State capital with districts and improve connectivity among districts and development blocks. 
• Mobile Connectivity & Transport: 
  • Mukhyamantri Mobile Tower Scheme will enhance cellphone connectivity in remote areas. 
  • The Mukhyamantri Parivahan Yojana will fund transport services from gram panchayats to blocks and districts, addressing the lack of public transport in low-density areas. 
• Technology & Industrial Growth: 
  • Budget allocations include: 
    • Computerisation of courts 
    • State data centre creation 
    • Emergency response systems 
  • The industry budget outlay has tripled compared to the previous year. 
• Pension Fund & Financial Stability: 
  • A new pension fund ensures secure pensions for government employees, a first-of-its-kind initiative in India. 
  • The Chhattisgarh Growth and Stability Fund will strengthen the State’s financial position. 
  • This pension fund addresses concerns about fiscal burden post-2039, when a majority of employees recruited after the State’s creation will retire. 
• Cooperatives & Education: 
  • 500 new cooperative societies will be established. 
  • A National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will be set up in the State. 
• Welfare Schemes & Fiscal Management: 
  • Krishak Unnati Yojana (for farmers) receives Rs 10,000 crore allocation. 
  • Pradhanmantri Aawas Yojana (Rural) gets Rs 8,500 crore. 
  • Mahtari Vandan Yojana, a cash assistance scheme for eligible married women, receives Rs 5,500 crore. 
  • The fiscal deficit has increased from 2.90% to 2.97% of GSDP. 
  • No new taxes were announced, but Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol will be reduced by Rs 1 per litre from 1st April, 2025.