The Chhattisgarh government will buy Ayurvedic medicines, processed foods obtained from minor forest produce and herbal products made by the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association, it was announced on Thursday.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel chaired a Cabinet Meeting in the Assembly premises where the decision was taken.

In case the products are not available with the Minor Forest Produce Association, government departments can obtain clearance from the Association and buy them from the market.

Regarding the products produced by the Minor Forest Produce Association or through Public Private Partnership, the Cabinet has decided to relax the tender invitation as per the provision of the Chhattisgarh Warehousing Rules.

It was decided to set up a six-member committee under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary (Forest and Climate Change Department) to determine the selling price.

The Cabinet also decided to procure kodo-kutki (minor millets) and ragi at support price in the scheduled area of the state.

Regarding the disposal of unclaimed paddy procured at support price, the Cabinet decided to dispose the 2.27 lakh tonnes of paddy remaining in the post-drought collection centre, cancel the target of depositing 1.72 lakh tonnes for custom milling and deposit an additional 60,000 tonnes to the Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation in the State Pool.

The Cabinet has decided to go for auction regarding 20.5 lakh tonnes of unallocated paddy. The Food Department will invite the bids.

The Cabinet ratified the decision taken by the Company’s Board of Directors to shut down both the 120 MW units of the Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Co Ltd in Korba.

The Energy Department will decide on alternative use of the vacant land available as a result of the closure.