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Government of Chhattisgarh
Government of Chhattisgarh
Government of Chhattisgarh
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Government of Chhattisgarh
Seat of GovernmentRaipur
Legislative branch
Assembly
SpeakerDr. Raman Singh
Members in Assembly90
Executive branch
GovernorRamen Deka
Chief MinisterVishnudeo Sai
Deputy Chief MinisterArun Sao
Vijay Sharma
Chief SecretaryAmitabh Jain, IAS
Judiciary
High CourtChhattisgarh High Court
Chief JusticeRamesh Sinha

Government of Chhattisgarh also known as the State Government of Chhattisgarh, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and its 33 districts. It consists of an executive, led by the Governor of Chhattisgarh, a judiciary and a legislative branch.

Like other states in India, the head of state of Chhattisgarh is the governor, appointed by the president of India on the advice of the central government. The post of governor is largely ceremonial. The chief minister is the elected head of government and is vested with most of the executive powers. Raipur is the capital of Chhattisgarh, and houses the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the secretariat. The Chhattisgarh High Court, located in Bilaspur, has jurisdiction over the whole state.[1]

Mantralaya Naya Raipur (Executive)

The present Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh is unicameral, consisting of 90 Members of Legislative Assembly (M.L.A) (90 elected ). Its term is five years, unless dissolved sooner.[2]

Council of Ministers

[edit]
This table is transcluded from Sai ministry. (edit | history)

Source:[3][4]


Cabinet members
Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party [5][6]
Chief Minister
  • General Administration
  • Mineral Resources
  • Energy
  • Public Relation
  • Transport
  • Excise
Any other departments not allocated to any Minister.		13 December 2023Incumbent BJP
Deputy Chief Minister
  • Public Works
  • Public Health Engineering
  • Law & Legislative Affairs
  • Urban Administration & Development
13 December 2023Incumbent BJP
Deputy Chief Minister
  • Home Affairs
  • Rural Development and Panchayat
  • Technical Education
  • Science and Technology
13 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Minister of School Education
  • Minister of Law & Legislative Affairs
  • Village Industries
20 August 2025Incumbent BJP
  • Agriculture
  • Scheduled Tribes Development
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Parliamentary Affairs
  • Water Resources
  • Forest and Climate Change
  • Cooperatives
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Commerce and Industry
  • Labour
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Health and Family Welfare
  • Medical Education
  • Other Backward Classes and Minorities Development
  • 20-Point Implementation
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Finance
  • Commercial Tax
  • Housing
  • Environment
  • Planning, Economics and Statistics
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Women and Child Development
  • Social Welfare
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Revenue
  • Disaster Management
  • Sports and Youth Welfare
22 December 2023Incumbent BJP
  • Minister of Tourism and Culture
  • Minister of Dharmik Nyas (Religious Trust) and Dharmsva
20 August 2025Incumbent BJP
  • Skill development
  • Technical Education and Employment
  • Scheduled Caste Development
20 August 2025Incumbent BJP
  • School Education
  • Public Health Engineering
  • Law & Legislative Affairs
  • Urban Administration & Development
  • Minister of Higher Education
  • Minister of Tourism and Culture
  • Minister of Dharmik Nyas (Religious Trust) and Dharmsva
22 December 202319 June 2024 BJP

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Government of Chhattisgarh

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Government of is the state executive authority responsible for administering the landlocked Indian state of , which was carved out of on 1 November 2000 as the 26th state of the Indian Union. Operating under the federal structure outlined in the , it comprises three branches: the executive, led by a appointed by the and a headed by the Chief Minister; a unicameral legislature in the form of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha with 90 elected members; and an independent judiciary headed by the . The government's mandate includes managing the state's vast mineral resources, promoting industrial growth in sectors like steel and cement, and addressing persistent security challenges posed by left-wing extremism in tribal-dominated regions. As of October 2025, of the serves as , leading efforts to enhance governance through initiatives like 'Sushasan Tihar' for administrative reforms and development, amid a history of political alternation between and BJP administrations. The state secretariat is located in Atal Nagar (Naya ), reflecting a push toward modern for efficient administration. Defining characteristics include fiscal dependence on central transfers due to the state's developmental stage, coupled with controversies over acquisition for industrial projects and alleged mismanagement of welfare funds under prior regimes, underscoring tensions between and tribal rights.

Executive Branch

Governor

The Governor of Chhattisgarh serves as the constitutional head of the state executive, appointed by the President of India under Article 153 of the Constitution for a term of five years, though removable at the President's pleasure. As a nominal executive, the Governor's powers—enumerated in Articles 153 to 167—include appointing the Chief Minister (typically the leader of the majority party in the Legislative Assembly) under Article 164, administering oaths to ministers, and exercising executive authority vested in the office per Article 154, but these are ordinarily exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers as mandated by Article 163. The Governor also holds legislative functions, such as summoning, proroguing, or dissolving the Legislative Assembly under Article 174, and granting assent to bills passed by the legislature under Article 200, with the discretion to reserve bills for the President's consideration if they concern matters like high court judges or fundamental rights. In emergencies, the Governor can recommend President's Rule under Article 356 if no stable government can be formed, though this provision has never been invoked in Chhattisgarh since its formation on November 1, 2000. Constitutional conventions limit the Governor's role to a largely ceremonial and advisory one, favoring the elected government's decisions to uphold democratic principles, with discretionary powers—such as in appointing a during a hung assembly or during floor tests—exercised sparingly and subject to judicial scrutiny to prevent misuse. For instance, the Governor reports periodically to the President on the state's administration under Article 167 but refrains from independent policymaking. Historical governors, starting with Dinesh Nandan Sahay (November 1, 2000–April 2, 2003), have adhered to this framework, with figures like Balramji Dass (August 28, 2014–August 24, 2018) focusing on ceremonial duties amid stable state governments. Ramen Deka, a former member from and BJP national secretary, assumed office as the tenth Governor on July 31, 2024, succeeding , and continues to serve in this capacity as of October 2025. In this role, Deka has emphasized coordination with the on issues like internal security, while maintaining the office's non-partisan advisory stance.

Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh serves as the head of the Council of Ministers, constituting the real executive authority of the state government and exercising powers vested in the Governor under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, which mandates the Council to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions except where he acts in his discretion. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor from among members of the Legislative Assembly who command the confidence of the majority, typically the leader of the party or coalition securing the most seats in assembly elections; the Chief Minister then recommends the appointment of other ministers, with the size of the Council limited to 15% of the Assembly's strength, currently capping it at around 14 including the Chief Minister. The Council is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly, subject to removal via a no-confidence motion, ensuring accountability for governance decisions. Vishnu Deo Sai of the assumed office as on 13 December 2023, following the BJP's victory in the November 2023 assembly elections where it secured 54 seats. He heads a expanded to 14 members in August 2025 through the induction of three first-term BJP MLAs—Gajendra Yadav, Rajesh Agrawal, and Guru Khushwant Saheb—marking the largest such body in the state's history and enabling broader departmental coverage amid priorities like and . The allocates portfolios to ministers, who oversee specific domains such as home affairs, finance, and , facilitating daily administration, policy formulation, and implementation across sectors including and . The office has seen shifts reflecting electoral outcomes since Chhattisgarh's formation in 2000: () held it from November 2000 to December 2003; (BJP) maintained the longest continuous tenure from December 2003 to December 2018 across three terms; () served from December 2018 to December 2023; and continues as of October 2025. Under the current administration, state-level policy execution has coincided with Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices rising from ₹5.12 in 2023-24 to a projected ₹5.68 in 2024-25, reflecting contributions from , industry, and amid efforts to enhance fiscal management and sectoral growth.

Legislative Branch

Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly

The , or Vidhan Sabha, is the unicameral consisting of 90 members of the (MLAs) directly elected from single-member constituencies through universal adult suffrage. Members serve a term of five years unless the assembly is dissolved earlier. The assembly is located in , the state capital. The holds legislative authority over subjects enumerated in List II of the Seventh Schedule to the , which includes public order, police, prisons, public health, sanitation, hospitals, agriculture, , land revenue, and fisheries. It convenes regular sessions to introduce, debate, and enact bills on these matters, approve the annual state , and authorize expenditures through appropriation acts. The assembly also scrutinizes executive actions via mechanisms such as starred and unstarred questions, short-notice questions, and motions for or no-confidence. Legislative proceedings are governed by the rules of procedure and conduct of business, which outline the summoning of sessions, requirements, and committee formations. Key standing committees include the , which examines state accounts and the utilization of funds granted by the assembly for executive expenditures. The Speaker, elected by the members from among their ranks, presides over sessions, enforces rules of order, decides on points of order, and certifies bills as money bills, which cannot be amended or rejected by an since lacks a . Established upon Chhattisgarh's formation as a state on 1 November 2000, the Vidhan Sabha transitioned from the bicameral framework of the erstwhile legislature to a unicameral structure tailored to the new state's needs. Its inaugural session followed statehood, with Rajendra Prasad Shukla elected as the first Speaker on 14 December 2000.

Elections and Political Dynamics

The elections have been characterized by alternating dominance between the (BJP) and the (INC), with power shifting based on perceptions of governance efficacy and regional voter priorities. In the inaugural 2003 assembly elections, held on November 26, the BJP secured a majority with 50 seats out of 90, defeating the incumbent Congress-led government under , who won only 37 seats; was 71.3%. The BJP's victory marked the end of Congress rule established after the state's formation in 2000, propelled by against Jogi's administration amid allegations of and administrative lapses. Subsequent elections in 2018, conducted in two phases on November 12 and 20, saw the achieve a landslide with 68 seats, reducing the BJP to 15; turnout reached approximately 74%. This reversal stemmed from voter fatigue with the BJP's 15-year tenure under , exacerbated by issues like farmer distress and uneven development in tribal areas. The 2023 polls, held on November 7 and 17 with a turnout of 76.31%, returned the BJP to power with 54 seats against 's 35, driven by against the government over scandals and implementation gaps in welfare schemes.
YearVoter Turnout (%)BJP SeatsCongress SeatsOther Seats
200371.350373
~74157
202376.3154351
Tribal voters, comprising roughly 30% of the population and influencing outcomes in 29 Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved seats out of 90, play a pivotal role in electoral dynamics, often swaying between parties based on localized issues like land rights and impacts in Bastar. The BJP's post-2003 consolidation attributed to and anti-Naxalite efforts contrasted with 's appeal through agrarian , particularly paddy bonuses that mobilized rural bases but faced criticism for fiscal strain and graft allegations. In 2023, the BJP captured 17 tribal-dominated seats lost in , leveraging narratives of mismanagement in processes amid a record 100 metric tonnes purchased, which both parties claimed credit for but failed to fully convert into votes due to implementation discrepancies.

Judicial Branch

High Court and Subordinate Judiciary

The of , established on 1 November 2000 under the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, serves as the apex judicial institution for the state with its principal seat in Village Bodri, Bilaspur. It exercises original jurisdiction in certain civil and criminal matters, appellate jurisdiction over decisions from subordinate courts, and supervisory powers under Articles 226 and 227 of the for writ petitions and administrative oversight of lower courts. The court comprises a and other judges appointed by the , with current Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha assuming office on 29 March 2023. Benches, including single and division benches, adjudicate civil, criminal, and constitutional cases, ensuring separation from executive influence as mandated by the . Subordinate to the is the district judiciary, structured hierarchically with Principal District and Sessions Judges at the helm of each of the state's 27 as of 2023, handling serious civil and criminal trials. Below them operate Additional Judges, Civil Judges (Senior and Junior Divisions), and Magistrates for first-instance adjudication of disputes, appeals from lower forums, and enforcement of state laws on matters like land acquisition and tribal rights. These courts maintain functional independence through direct administrative control by the , with judicial officers selected via state commissions and elevated based on seniority and merit. Integration with the national e-Courts project has enhanced operational efficiency, with Phase II (2015–2023) implementing case information software (CIS 3.2 in district courts), e-filing, virtual hearings, and interoperable systems across 92 court complexes. A dedicated Computer Committee oversees digitization, including hardware installation and process servers for electronic summons, reducing pendency and improving access in remote areas. As of 2024, Phase III initiatives continue to expand ICT infrastructure, aligning subordinate courts with broader judicial reforms for timely justice delivery.

Historical Development

Formation and Early Governance (2000–2003)

Chhattisgarh was formed as a new state on November 1, 2000, carved out from the southeastern territories of Madhya Pradesh under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, enacted by the Parliament in August of that year. The act delineated the territorial boundaries, comprising 16 districts initially, and outlined the bifurcation of administrative, financial, and judicial assets between the successor states. Ajit Jogi of the Indian National Congress was appointed as the first Chief Minister on the day of formation, leading a provisional government ahead of the state's inaugural legislative elections. The early governance under Jogi focused on establishing core administrative structures, including the state secretariat in and the division of revenue departments inherited from . Priorities encompassed integrating tribal populations, who constituted over 30% of the populace, through policies aimed at development in forested and remote areas, while addressing bifurcation challenges such as and personnel transfers. Basic setup, including roads and power supply, proceeded amid persistent threats from Naxalite insurgents active in districts like Bastar since the state's inception. The initial Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) stood at approximately Rs. 6,000 crore in 2001-02, supported by central grants-in-aid and plan assistance to facilitate economic stabilization. This transitional phase culminated in Chhattisgarh's first elections in November-December 2003, marking the shift from provisional to elected governance, with 90 seats contested and a of 71.3%. The Congress retained power narrowly under Jogi until the results led to a change in administration, reflecting the state's evolving political landscape post-bifurcation.

Periods of Congress and BJP Rule (2003–Present)

The (BJP) governed from December 7, 2003, to December 17, 2018, under , securing three consecutive terms through assembly elections in 2003, 2008, and 2013. During this period, the administration prioritized and welfare reforms, notably overhauling the public distribution system (PDS) by providing rice at Re 1 per kg, which empirical data linked to a sharp rise in PDS rice consumption—attributable in part to state-led reforms starting in 2004, though broader factors like national entitlements contributed. This model correlated with measurable reductions in hunger metrics, as 's performance in indicators improved relative to pre-2004 baselines, positioning the state as a reference for PDS efficiency despite debates over the full causal attribution of consumption growth. Industrial and sector expansions also advanced, with the state's power generation capacity growing from 1,400 MW at formation in 2000 to contributions under BJP tenures that supported a trajectory reaching 30,000 MW by 2025, driven by investments in thermal and hydro projects. In contrast, the assumed power from December 17, 2018, to December 13, 2023, under , following the 2018 elections. This tenure emphasized populist measures such as farm loan waivers, which provided relief to agricultural debtors but coincided with a fiscal strain evidenced by state debt escalating from approximately ₹52,254 in 2018-19 to over ₹82,125 by 2023, with the Congress government incurring around ₹50,000 in borrowings over five years. Governance faced scrutiny amid allegations of a ₹2,500 liquor policy scam spanning 2019-2022, involving illicit syndicates and leading to arrests, including of Baghel's son, as probed by the and Anti-Corruption Bureau; these claims, while under investigation, highlight potential risks in welfare-oriented revenue streams like . Such subsidy-heavy approaches correlated with rising liabilities relative to GSDP, contrasting with prior market-driven expansions, though overall state GSDP maintained a around 10-11% across periods influenced by national trends. The BJP returned to power in December 2023 under Vishnu Deo Sai after the assembly elections, intensifying anti-Naxal operations in Bastar and other affected regions, resulting in over 210 Maoist surrenders by October 2025 under enhanced rehabilitation policies and coordinated drives. Mineral sector reforms, including e-auctions of 44 blocks, propelled revenue to a record ₹14,195 in FY 2024-25, a 30-fold increase from early state levels, underscoring the causal impact of competitive bidding on . The 2025-26 projected expenditure at ₹1.65 lakh crore, with capital outlay at ₹26,341 (16% of total), aligning with ambitions to double GSDP from ₹5 lakh crore to ₹10 lakh crore by 2028 through infrastructure and investment incentives. These outcomes reflect a shift toward revenue-generating policies, sustaining GSDP growth projections at 7.5% for 2024-25 while maintaining debt-to-GSDP at a manageable 24% in recent years, in contrast to prior debt accumulation under populist frameworks.

Administrative Framework

State-Level Administration

The state-level administration of is coordinated through the secretariat located in , under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, the highest-ranking civil servant responsible for overseeing the state bureaucracy and facilitating coordination across government functions. As of October 2025, Vikas Sheel, a 1994-batch IAS officer, serves as the 13th Chief Secretary, having assumed office on October 1, 2025. The secretariat manages operations across numerous departments, including finance, home affairs, industries, revenue, and public works, with senior IAS and IPS officers heading key divisions to implement both state and directives. Revenue administration at the state level is supervised through a network of collectors, who are IAS officers serving as the primary executive authorities in each of Chhattisgarh's 33 , handling land revenue collection, disaster management, and enforcement of state policies under oversight from the revenue department in . The state's fiscal operations rely significantly on central transfers, which account for approximately 55% of total revenues, encompassing tax devolution and grants-in-aid that fund a substantial portion of the amid limited own-tax resources. To enhance efficiency and curb discretionary practices, recent administrative reforms have emphasized initiatives, including the Chief Minister's E-Dashboard for real-time monitoring of 146 schemes across 28 departments and the Good Governance Portal for public access to performance data and services. These digital platforms, rolled out progressively since 2023, aim to promote transparency in and service delivery by digitizing processes such as file management and scheme tracking, reducing opportunities for corruption in bureaucratic operations.

Local Self-Government and Districts

Local self-government in operates through a three-tier system for rural areas, mandated by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, comprising Gram Panchayats at the village level, Janpad Panchayats at the block level, and Zila Panchayats at the district level. This structure facilitates grassroots-level planning and implementation of development programs. As of October 2025, the state has 11,690 Gram Panchayats, 146 blocks with corresponding Janpad Panchayats, and Zila Panchayats aligned with its 33 districts. Urban local bodies, established under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, include Municipal Corporations for larger cities, Municipal Councils for smaller urban areas, and Nagar Panchayats for transitional zones, governed by the Chhattisgarh Municipal Act and Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation Act. These entities handle , , and , though audits have highlighted issues like delayed elections and incomplete devolution of functions. Chhattisgarh is administratively divided into 33 under 5 divisions—Raipur, Bilaspur, , Bastar, and Surguja—each overseen by a District Collector who coordinates revenue, law and order, and development activities. serve as the primary unit for policy execution, with local bodies channeling funds for schemes like rural roads and . In , home to a significant Scheduled Tribe population, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, grants Gram Sabhas veto powers over land acquisition, minor minerals, and traditional practices, aiming to preserve tribal autonomy within the PRI framework. These bodies are integral to schemes such as MGNREGA, which in 2024-25 provided to over 1.1 million households in the state, focusing on asset creation like structures. District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in mining-affected districts allocate funds for local welfare; in 2024-25, Chhattisgarh's DMFs disbursed ₹1,673 to support 9,362 projects in , and , addressing mining-induced impacts. Administration in Naxal-affected districts, including , Sukma, and Narayanpur, demands hybrid models integrating civil officials with security forces to counter disruptions, enabling service delivery amid ongoing reduction efforts that have confined most-affected areas to these three as of October 2025.

Key Policies and Initiatives

Economic and Industrial Policies

The Industrial Development Policy 2024–30, launched by the government, emphasizes incentives such as capital subsidies, exemptions, and support to attract investments in , MSMEs, and emerging sectors including clean energy and electronics. Amendments in May 2025 further streamlined approvals and promoted private industrial parks to foster job creation and infrastructure like smart corridors. The policy leverages the state's mineral wealth, particularly and , which contribute significantly to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), projected at ₹5.68 lakh crore for 2024–25 at current prices, reflecting 7.51% growth driven by and industry. Chhattisgarh maintains a power surplus status, with installed generation capacity exceeding 19,800 MW as of recent assessments, predominantly thermal-based, enabling exports to neighboring states and supporting industrial expansion. Mineral auctions have generated record revenues, reaching ₹14,195 crore in FY 2024–25, funding infrastructure while prioritizing blocks for , , and other resources to boost and sectors. In urban development, the July 2025 approval of the State Capital Region Authority integrates , (Atal Nagar), Durg-Bhilai, and surrounding areas for coordinated planning, including metro connectivity and industrial zones to enhance logistics and investment appeal. Despite these advances, economic policies have faced criticism for uneven distribution of benefits, with rural and tribal regions—home to over 30% of the population—experiencing persistent lags in income growth and employment due to limited infrastructure and displacement from mining activities. Industrial expansion has accelerated land acquisition in forested tribal belts, exacerbating livelihood losses without commensurate local reinvestment, as evidenced by higher multidimensional deprivation indices in Bastar and other southern districts compared to urban centers. While auction revenues have multiplied thirtyfold since state formation, critics argue that fiscal allocations prioritize urban-industrial hubs over agricultural and forest-dependent economies in tribal areas, hindering inclusive growth.

Social and Security Measures

The (BJP)-led government in has expanded the Public Distribution System (PDS), building on reforms initiated under former , which increased rural coverage to approximately 80% of the population by providing subsidized food grains and reducing leakages through door-step delivery and biometric authentication. In August 2025, the state cabinet approved enhancements to PDS procurement, including pulses, positioning it as a national model for amid empirical reductions in hunger metrics attributable to sustained improvements rather than mere subsidies. Health initiatives emphasize and tribal welfare, with the government approving over ₹1,390 in October 2025 for four new medical colleges in including Manendragarh, Kabirdham, Janjgir-Champa, and Geedam to address doctor shortages in underserved areas. Vishnu Deo Sai has promoted traditional tribal healing by encouraging medicinal plant cultivation, aiming to integrate indigenous knowledge with modern facilities for remote communities comprising over 30% of the population. Digital inclusion efforts include the 2018 Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY), which distributed up to 5.5 million smartphones with free data to rural women and from low-income households, fostering access to services despite evaluations showing short-term norm shifts rather than sustained economic gains without complementary training. On security, the Sai administration has pursued a dual strategy of intensified operations and rehabilitation in Naxal-affected Bastar, declaring Abujhmad and North Bastar Naxal-free by October 2025 following 210 surrenders (yielding 153 weapons) and neutralization of over 450 insurgents since early 2024, linked to development incentives like infrastructure and employment that encourage defections. This contrasts with spikes under the prior regime (2018–2023), where violence persisted amid policy hesitancy; post-2023 data show a national 25% drop in Left-wing extremist incidents, with Chhattisgarh's share declining due to targeted surrenders and road connectivity enabling rapid response, though the state still accounts for 70% of residual violence tied to Maoist strongholds. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) progress reflects these measures, with the state's composite score rising from 69 to 70 between 2023 and 2024 across districts, driven by gains in (SDG 3) and reduced (SDG 2) via PDS and , though disparities persist in Naxal zones where causal factors like inadequate local hinder full realization. Earlier proposals under in 2021 to grant funds for private rural nursing homes sparked internal debates over privatization's role in addressing vacancies, with critics arguing it risked quality dilution without of superior outcomes compared to public expansions.

Controversies and Challenges

Corruption Scandals

During the Congress government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from 2018 to 2023, the state faced multiple allegations of graft, most prominently the liquor policy scam, where the Enforcement Directorate (ED) estimated that ₹2,161 crore in corruption proceeds were generated through manipulations in the alcohol supply chain, including cartel control over sales and distribution, beginning in 2019. Investigations revealed diversions allegedly benefiting Congress leaders and officials, leading to ED raids and arrests, including Baghel's son Chaitanya in July 2025 for involvement in the scheme. Post-2023, the incoming BJP administration under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai suspended 22 excise officials implicated in a chargesheet related to the ₹3,200 crore scandal, signaling efforts to address entrenched irregularities in the excise department. The regime also saw probes into abandoned projects totaling around ₹900 , dubbed "monuments of " by critics, including a ₹100 CBD Mall in Naya left locked since 2019 despite completion, exemplifying wasteful expenditure and poor oversight in public works. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audits further highlighted systemic leakages, such as excess payments of ₹7.88 by the Korba in 2020 and underutilization of District Mineral Foundation funds, pointing to delays and misallocation in welfare and mining-related expenditures across 2017–2022. Under prior BJP rule from 2003 to 2018, led by , mining sector irregularities drew scrutiny, including a 2010 case involving Pushp Steel and Mines where lease allocations allegedly caused revenue shortfalls, and a CAG report estimating a potential ₹1,052 loss over 32 years due to undervalued blocks granted to select firms. These issues were countered by subsequent BJP administrations emphasizing revenue transparency through e-auctions and digital tracking, though critics argued enforcement gaps persisted. In 2025, a minor controversy arose over an alleged ₹51 purchase of 160 steel water jugs at ₹32,500 each for tribal hostels in Baloda-Bazar district, but the BJP government clarified it as a cancelled proposal from a prior officer, rejecting claims of overpricing. These scandals contributed to voter dissatisfaction, with allegations—including liquor and levy scams—factoring into the BJP's 2023 assembly victory, where it secured 54 seats against Congress's 35, reversing the latter's 2018 majority amid probes into executive graft. CAG findings on welfare fund mismanagement, such as in flagship schemes and local bodies, underscored broader institutional lapses in accountability, independent of , with irregularities persisting across cycles.

Naxalism and Counter-Insurgency Efforts

The Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in emerged in the late , as factions of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) expanded into the mineral-rich, tribal-heavy , exploiting grievances over land rights and forest resources to impose control through forced recruitment, extortion from contractors, and elimination of perceived collaborators. By the 1990s, Maoists had established "janatana sarkars" (people's governments) in remote areas, enforcing parallel administration that included banning development projects and killing civilians who resisted, with nationwide data indicating over 4,000 civilian deaths from 2000 to 2025 attributed to such groups. In specifically, Maoist violence targeted tribals refusing allegiance, contributing to thousands of local deaths over decades, often unreported due to the insurgents' dominance in inaccessible terrains. In response to escalating Maoist attacks, the state government under BJP rule launched Salwa Judum in 2005, a vigilante militia comprising local tribals to reclaim villages from insurgent control, which displaced thousands but also disrupted Maoist supply lines until its operations wound down around 2010. The initiative faced criticism for alleged excesses by militia members, including arson and assaults, leading the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional in 2011 and ban state support for such groups; however, these occurred amid Maoist reprisals that killed hundreds of Salwa Judum activists and sympathizers between 2005 and 2011. Contextualizing the backlash, Maoist atrocities—such as beheadings of informants and massacres of non-compliant villages—far outnumbered reported militia violations, with insurgents responsible for the bulk of civilian casualties in Bastar during this period, underscoring the militia's role as a desperate counter to unchecked rebel dominance. Under governance from 2018 to 2023, Naxal violence persisted with allegations of staged encounters by security forces, though Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) data shows a broader national decline in incidents from 1,091 in 2014 to 374 in 2024, partly due to sustained federal pressure. Following the BJP's assumption of power in December 2023, counter-insurgency intensified through operations like "Operation " in September 2025, resulting in over 400 Maoists neutralized, 1,429 arrested, and 1,355 surrenders by mid-2025, including a single-day record of 210 surrenders in October 2025 yielding 153 weapons. These efforts, coupled with infrastructure development—such as roads, schools, and mobile connectivity in Bastar—have causally deterred recruitment by improving access to services and economic opportunities, reducing Maoist influence to just three most-affected districts (, Sukma, Narayanpur) as of October 2025. Opposition claims in 2024 of tribals being framed in encounters have been countered by high surrender volumes and conviction rates in Naxal cases, indicating operational efficacy rather than fabrication. Achievements include a 65.7% national drop in Left Wing Extremism incidents over the past decade per MHA records, enabling greater mineral extraction and in formerly Maoist strongholds, though left-leaning critiques emphasize security force overreach without equally weighting insurgent civilian killings. In contrast, proponents of robust counter-measures highlight restored , with over 2,100 surrenders and 477 neutralizations in since January 2024 alone, signaling Maoist disintegration amid development gains. This data-driven approach prioritizes violence reduction, as evidenced by shrinking affected areas, over absolutist narratives that overlook Naxal enforcement of deprivation in tribal regions.

References

  1. https://knowindia.india.gov.in/states-uts/chhattisgarh.php
  2. https://www.cgvidhansabha.gov.in/default_english.htm
  3. https://cgstate.gov.in/
  4. https://industries.cg.gov.in/
  5. https://jansampark.cg.gov.in/Janman/EN_MAY2025/Janman_May_2025_English.pdf
  6. https://www.constitutionofindia.net/articles/article-163-council-of-ministers-to-aid-and-advise-governor/
  7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-supreme-court-judgment-checked-the-misuse-of-president-s-rule-art-356-101710094868606.html
  8. https://www.nextias.com/blog/powers-and-functions-of-governor/
  9. https://rajbhavancg.gov.in/honorable-governors/tenure-of-the-governors.php
  10. https://rajbhavancg.gov.in/honorable-governors/honorable-governors.php
  11. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chhattisgarh/ramen-deka-sworn-in-as-chhattisgarh-governor/article68468068.ece
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