Chhattisgarh cabinet grants DSP post to wife of Sukma ASP martyred in Maoist attack, clears key policy reforms

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh cabinet on Tuesday honoured the sacrifice of additional superintendent of police (ASP) Akash Rao Girepunje, who was martyred during an anti-Naxal operation in Sukma district of Bastar division on June 9, 2025 and categorizing it a special case, his wife, Sneha Girepunje, will be appointed as deputy superintendent of police in the state police service on compassionate grounds.Officials said that the decision was taken to support the families of security personnel who lay down their lives in the line of duty.The cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai at Mahanadi Bhawan cleared a series of significant proposals, ranging from compassionate appointment for the wife of a slain police officer to major amendments in the state’s solar energy policy and enhanced support for retired journalists.Sai cabinet in a meeting in June had given its approval to amend rules for appointing on compassionate grounds the family members of the police personnel killed in Naxal violence in the state, following which, the decision to appoint Rao's wife was taken on Tuesday.In a move to reduce dependence on conventional energy and encourage non-traditional sources, the cabinet approved certain amendments to the state’s solar energy policy.

This includes the solar projects will now receive “priority industry” status under the state’s industrial policy.The incentives under the policy include interest subsidies, capital cost grants for micro enterprises, GST reimbursements for small, medium, and large industries, exemptions on electricity duty and stamp duty, financial support for project reports, fee waivers for land use conversion, and concessions for land allotted from the state land bank.Special relaxations have been extended to entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and the transgender community. Additional subsidies will be provided for employing persons with disabilities. Mega and ultra-mega solar projects will be eligible for tailor-made incentive packages.The revised policy will remain in force until 2030, or until a new policy is notified.The cabinet also approved the appointment of Reeta Shandilya as chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC). She has been serving as a member and acting chairperson of the commission.Focusing on the welfare of senior media professionals, the cabinet approved raising the monthly honorarium under the Chhattisgarh veteran media personnel samman nidhi from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. The hike, earlier announced in the state budget for 2025–26, will benefit retired journalists across the state.