Cabinet Decisions Taken at Meeting Chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was held on Tuesday at the Ministry’s Mahanadi Bhavan, where several important decisions were approved.

1. Extension of MSTC Agreement for Scrap Disposal

The Council of Ministers approved the extension of the selling agency agreement with the Government of India enterprise Metal Scrap Trading Corporation Limited (MSTC) for the next three years to ensure transparent and systematic disposal of scrap and unusable materials accumulated in various state departments, public sector undertakings, corporations, boards and local bodies.

The agreement, which has been in effect since November 2019, was scheduled to expire on May 31, 2026. Through MSTC’s advanced e-auction platform, buyers from across the country can participate in competitive bidding to purchase scrap materials, ensuring transparency and better value realisation for the state government.

The arrangement has made the scrap disposal process more organised, technology-driven and revenue-oriented. With this decision, departments will no longer need to conduct separate tendering and advertisement procedures, resulting in savings in administrative time and resources. It is also expected to improve cleanliness and space management in government office premises.

2. Chhattisgarh Staff Selection Board Brought Under General Administration Department

The Cabinet approved a proposal to bring the Chhattisgarh Staff Selection Board under the General Administration Department. Necessary amendments will be made to the “Chhattisgarh Government Business (Allocation) Rules” for this purpose.

It may be noted that following the implementation of the “Chhattisgarh Staff Selection Board Act, 2026”, the earlier Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board has already been merged into the newly formed Staff Selection Board. All assets and liabilities of the previous board have also been transferred to the new body.

3. Relief to Contractors Amid Rise in Bitumen Prices

The state Cabinet also took an important decision to provide limited and partial price relief (compensation) to contracted road construction agencies in view of the extraordinary and unexpected rise in bitumen (asphalt) prices after April 1, 2026.

The relief will be applicable for the period from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, with the aim of protecting state interests and ensuring continuity in road construction works.

The compensation will be provided only to offset the impact of the abnormal increase in bitumen prices and will be calculated according to a prescribed formula. Existing escalation provisions in contracts related to other construction components will continue to remain applicable.

The government noted that global conditions and rising petroleum prices had started affecting road surfacing works, raising concerns over delays in road construction and maintenance projects. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Government of India has also issued similar relief measures for national highway projects.

The Chhattisgarh government stated that the decision was aimed at ensuring that road construction activities are not disrupted and that development works continue at the required pace so that the public receives the benefits of road infrastructure projects on time.