Focus on financial discipline, housing, GST reforms and transparent governance; government highlights record tax growth and simplified property registration
Published on: March 12, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday approved grant demands worth more than ₹11,470.62 crore for departments headed by Finance Minister OP Choudhary for the financial year 2026–27, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, economic growth and governance reforms.
The approved allocations include ₹9,630.30 crore for the Finance Department, ₹1,247 crore for the Housing and Environment Department, ₹82.49 crore for the Planning, Economics and Statistics Department, and ₹510.82 crore for the Commercial Tax Department.
Replying to the discussion on the grant demands in the Assembly, Finance Minister Choudhary said the government is determined to strengthen the state’s economic foundation through financial discipline, transparency, technological reforms and inclusive development.
Focus on Housing, Environment and Nava Raipur Development
During the discussion on the Housing and Environment Department, the minister said that secure and dignified housing is the foundation of social development and the government remains committed to providing better housing facilities to citizens.
He revealed that when the government assumed office, the Chhattisgarh Housing Board had 3,219 unsold properties worth ₹442 crore and a debt of ₹735 crore incurred for constructing government colonies. The state government made budgetary provisions to clear the debt through a one-time settlement, improving the board’s financial health.
To sell unsold properties, a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme was introduced, under which 1,410 properties worth around ₹210 crore have already been sold. The board has also adopted a demand-based construction model, where new housing projects will begin only after receiving sufficient bookings.
Choudhary informed the Assembly that the Housing Board has launched 78 new projects worth ₹3,069 crore across 27 districts over the past two years, targeting the construction of 16,782 new housing units. Additional projects are expected to begin soon in the remaining districts.
A state-level housing fair held in November 2025 received strong public response, with 1,477 properties worth ₹305 crore booked within just three days, he added.
Environmental Monitoring and Industrial Pollution Control
Highlighting environmental initiatives, Choudhary said the Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board has taken several steps to control pollution during the transportation of fly ash and other industrial waste.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued, effective August 1, 2024, requiring fly ash and raw materials to be properly covered during transport. Violations are being continuously monitored and environmental compensation is imposed for non-compliance.
The state has also developed an Industrial Waste Management and Monitoring System (IWMMS) using GPS and geotagging technology to track the transportation and disposal of fly ash. So far, over 1,44,000 trips have been monitored under the system.
Additionally, the CG Nigrani portal has been launched to enable real-time monitoring of industrial emissions and pollution levels. Currently, 124 industries have been integrated into the system using IoT-based devices connected to Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and air quality monitoring mechanisms.
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Nava Raipur Emerging as an Education Hub
The minister said the government is working to transform Nava Raipur into a major educational hub. Prestigious institutions such as Hidayatullah National Law University, International Institute of Information Technology Naya Raipur and Indian Institute of Management Raipur are already functioning there.
He announced that national institutions such as National Institute of Fashion Technology, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology and National Forensic Sciences University are also set to establish campuses in Nava Raipur. The establishment of NMIMS University has also been approved and work will begin soon.
Choudhary said the state government has also passed legislation to establish the State Capital Region, and the first meeting of the newly formed authority was held in the Assembly under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
GST 2.0 Brings Relief to Citizens
Responding to discussions on the Commercial Tax (GST) Department, the finance minister said GST 2.0 reforms have been introduced to simplify taxation and provide relief to citizens.
He said Goods and Services Tax collections in Chhattisgarh recorded 18 percent growth in FY 2024–25, placing the state first in the country in GST revenue growth.
To facilitate trade, the government has reduced petrol prices by ₹1 per litre from April 1, 2025, and increased the internal e-way bill limit from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, benefiting nearly 26 percent of traders while reducing compliance costs by about 54 percent.
The state has also established GST offices in all 33 districts, including six new regional offices and three new circle branches, along with a state-level GST call center to assist taxpayers.
Major Tax Reductions Under GST 2.0
Under GST 2.0 reforms, tax rates on several goods have been reduced. GST on food items has been made zero, while the tax on clothing has been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent. GST on cement has been reduced from 28 percent to 18 percent, leading to savings of around ₹1.5 lakh when constructing a 1,000-square-foot house.
Tax on consumer goods such as motorcycles, cars, refrigerators, televisions and air conditioners has also been reduced from 28 percent to 18 percent, providing significant savings to consumers.
Essential daily-use items such as toothpaste, soap, bicycles, cooking gas, detergents and utensils now attract only 5 percent GST, resulting in annual savings of ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 for an average middle-class family, the minister said.
Farmers have also been given relief, with GST on agricultural equipment, fertilizers and seeds reduced from 18 percent to 5 percent.
Registration Reforms Make Property Transactions Easier
Choudhary said the Registration and Stamps Department, which is the third-largest revenue generating department of the state, has undergone major reforms.
The government has increased the number of registration offices in districts such as Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur and is establishing 10 smart registry offices modeled on visa centers, with offices already operational in Nava Raipur, Tilda and Raigarh.
To reduce costs for citizens, the registration fee for family gift deeds, relinquishment deeds and partition documents has been reduced to ₹500, while the additional fee on transactions above guideline rates has been abolished.
Strengthening Financial Stability
Speaking on the Finance Department’s initiatives, the minister said the state has created the Chhattisgarh Growth and Stability Fund to support long-term economic development. The fund currently holds ₹50 crore, with ₹250 crore provisioned for the next year.
The state’s Consolidated Sinking Fund has grown to over ₹8,875 crore, while ₹1,032 crore has been invested in the Guarantee Redemption Fund, with an additional ₹125 crore allocated in the budget.
To manage future pension liabilities, the government has implemented the Chhattisgarh Pension Fund Act 2025, under which ₹1,121 crore has already been invested, with ₹500 crore proposed for the next financial year.
Concluding his reply, Choudhary said the government is committed to building a developed and economically strong Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
