Chhattisgarh Government Takes Strongest Action Yet on Corruption, 22 Excise Officials Suspended

The Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has initiated its most significant action to date against corruption, suspending 22 excise officials. This move is part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, following allegations of illicit activities and property accumulation by the officials between 2019 and 2023. The suspended officials are implicated in a 3200 crore liquor scam that occurred during the previous administration’s tenure. Investigations are ongoing, and the government is also probing other alleged scams, including the DMF scam, the Mahadev Satta App scam, and the tendu leaf scam, with strict actions planned for those found culpable. The government is also focusing on ensuring transparency and good governance through various initiatives like mandatory procurement via the GEM portal, the implementation of the e-office system, and simplification of the NOC process through the Single Window System 2.0. Furthermore, measures have been implemented to curb the sale of counterfeit liquor, including the enforcement of Nashik printing press holograms on liquor bottles and the online facilitation of mineral transit passes.