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Action taken by the government over negligence and irregularities
Raipur, 6 June 2025 – The Chhattisgarh Government has suspended Shri Nidhish Kumar Koshti, the in-charge District Excise Officer of Mahasamund, with immediate effect due to irregularities in official duties, sale of liquor at prices higher than the prescribed rate, significant stock discrepancies, and financial misappropriation amounting to lakhs of rupees. This action was taken as per the directives of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai under the state’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy. During the suspension period, Shri Koshti will be posted at the Excise Commissioner’s Office in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.
Notably, on 29 May 2025, a senior officer from the Excise Department headquarters in Raipur conducted a surprise inspection of the composite liquor shop located in Ghodari, Mahasamund district. Before the inspection, a decoy customer was sent with four ₹500 notes (total ₹2000) to purchase liquor. The shopkeeper sold the liquor for ₹2000 instead of the prescribed price of ₹1760. Upon inquiry, the seller admitted to selling at a higher price.
A physical stock verification revealed a shortage of 1,886 units of country-made spiced liquor and financial irregularities amounting to ₹1.88 lakh. Further discrepancies were found, including a shortfall of ₹3.08 lakh in cash against sales and ₹1.99 lakh in foreign liquor stock. In total, financial irregularities amounted to ₹6.96 lakh. Based on these findings, the state government suspended the officer under the Chhattisgarh Civil Services Conduct Rules.
The Excise Commissioner stated that earlier, on 3 May 2025, a state-level flying squad seized 351.17 bulk liters of illegal liquor, manufactured in Odisha and valid only there, from Bagbahara (Mahasamund). Three cases were registered, and action was taken against an absconding accused under sections 34(2) and 59(a) of the Excise Act.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized that any negligence, corruption, or irregularities in the discharge of government duties will not be tolerated. This action in Mahasamund is a testament to the government’s zero-tolerance policy.
