RAIPUR: Betting big on artificial intelligence to drive governance, skilling and innovation, the Chhattisgarh cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 500-crore 'AI Mission,' aimed at training over 7.5 lakh people, supporting more than 300 AI startups and rolling out AI-powered public services over the next few years.The decision was taken in the cabinet chaired by chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai.Modelled on the Centre's India AI Mission, the state's initiative envisages setting up 100 AI data labs and five centres of excellence besides training six lakh students and 1.5 lakh govt employees. The govt said more than 50 AI-enabled citizen services will be developed to improve governance and public service delivery.The AI mission is among the biggest digital initiatives announced by the Sai govt and comes as states increasingly compete to attract investments in artificial intelligence, deep-tech and advanced manufacturing.The cabinet also cleared concessional land allotment for BEML's first heavy earth-moving equipment manufacturing plant in the state, a move expected to boost manufacturing, attract fresh investments and generate employment.In another major decision, the cabinet approved the implementation of the works and accounts management information system (WAMIS) in the PWD. Developed by C-DAC, Pune, the platform will digitise project approvals, estimates, procurement, measurement books, bill payments and quality monitoring, enabling real-time tracking of public works.The cabinet also eased norms under the mukhyamantri gram sadak evam vikas yojana, expanding its coverage to rural roads left out of the PM gram sadak yojana. It also removed the mandatory requirement of completing MGNREGA-funded earthwork before road construction, a move expected to speed up infrastructure projects in villages.Among the financial decisions, the govt approved a Rs 15-crore grant from the Asian development bank for the three-year 'Anjor linked implementation & guidance for holistic tracking ' technical assistance project to strengthen public finance management and implement the state's Vision 2047 roadmap. Since the assistance is entirely grant-based, officials said it would not impose any financial burden on the state.To tighten financial oversight, the cabinet approved the state single nodal agency (S-SNA) model for all state-funded schemes. The system will route payments through a centralised account, replacing multiple bank accounts maintained by departments, with the govt claiming it will improve transparency, cash management and monitoring of expenditure