IN a major decision benefitting over 25 lakh farmers, the State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to disburse approximately Rs 10,000 crore as differential paddy price payment in a single installment before Holi, even as it cleared the draft for Governor’s address and the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2026, for the forthcoming Budget Session. The decisions were taken at the Cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, stated Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao addressing the media after the Cabinet. Arun Sao said that in a significant relief welfare measure for the farming community, the Cabinet decided that farmers who sold paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will be paid the differential amount at the rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal in one installment ahead of the Holi festival.

 

The Deputy Chief Minister said that during the Kharif Marketing Year 2025-26, the State procured 141.04 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 25,24,339 farmers. Under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, the State Government is procuring up to 21 quintals of paddy per acre at Rs 3,100 per quintal, which is the highest rate in the country. Over the past two years, more than Rs 25,000 crore has been disbursed to farmers towards differential price support under the scheme, he stated. With this year’s proposed payout of Rs 10,000 crore, the cumulative disbursement under the scheme will reach Rs 35,000 crore, significantly boosting rural liquidity ahead of the festive season. Sao said that the Cabinet approved the address to be delivered by the Governor during the eighth session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh, scheduled for February-March 2026. It also gave its nod to the draft ‘Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2026’, which will be presented in the Assembly in connection with the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2026-27.