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Message of Zero Tolerance Against Corruption
“Our goal is to provide the people with a transparent, accountable, and honest administration” — Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Immediate Suspension of 22 Excise Officials Marks Major Crackdown on Corruption
Action Taken Against IAS, IFS, and Other State Service Officers as Well
Raipur, July 11, 2025:
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is advancing with a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption. In a major step, the government has taken its most significant action so far in connection with the widely publicized ₹3,200 crore liquor scam that took place during the previous administration. A total of 22 out of 29 excise department officials have been suspended in what is being seen as the largest such action by any state government to date.
These officials are accused of amassing illegal movable and immovable assets worth around ₹88 crore through corrupt practices between 2019 and 2023.
Investigations conducted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) revealed that this scam was operated by an organized syndicate, in which the excise officials played a key role. Following these findings, the government swiftly suspended the officials without delay.
Those suspended include Excise Deputy Commissioners Animesh Netam, Arvind Kumar Patle, Neetu Notani, Nohar Singh Thakur, Vijay Sen Sharma; Assistant Excise Commissioners Pramod Kumar Netam, Vikas Kumar Goswami, Naveen Pratap Singh Tomar, Rajesh Jaiswal, Manjushree Kaser, Dinkar Vasanik, Ashish Kosam, Saurabh Bakshi, Prakash Pal, Ramkrishna Mishra, Alakh Ram Kaser, Sonal Netam; and District Excise Officers Mohit Kumar Jaiswal, Gareebpal Singh Dardi, Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Janardan Singh Kaurav, and Nitin Kumar Khanduja.
It is worth noting that several major scams took place during the five-year tenure of the previous government, all of which are currently under investigation by central and state agencies. The accused are being arrested one by one. Besides the liquor scam, the current government is also investigating the DMF scam, Mahadev betting app scam, and tendu leaf scam. In any case where involvement is found, the culprits are facing strict punishment.
Over the past two years, more than 200 corrupt officials have been caught by the ACB, clearly reflecting the government’s firm stand on zero tolerance toward corruption.
Under CM Sai’s leadership, the Chhattisgarh government is not only cracking down on corruption but also prioritizing good governance and transparent administration. Measures taken include:
Making procurement through the GeM Portal mandatory
Launching the e-Office system
Implementing 350+ reforms to make the investment process corruption-free, transparent, and efficient
Simplifying NOC procedures via Single Window System 2.0
In the excise department, the government has abolished the FL-10 policy to bring transparency and made holograms printed by Nashik Press mandatory on all liquor bottles to prevent the sale of counterfeit alcohol.
Other transparency measures include:
Fully online mineral transit pass system
E-auction system for timber
Creation of a Department of Good Governance and Convergence for better scheme implementation
The state government has also handed over the investigation of irregularities in the PSC-2021 examination to the CBI, resulting in the arrest of the then Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Investigations of the Bharatmala project and the CGMSC scam have been entrusted to the EOW, and several officers have already been suspended.
Notably, this transparent crackdown has seen action taken against officers at all levels — from IAS and IFS to other state service officials.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has firmly stated that the liquor scam occurred during the previous regime, and no guilty person involved in the scam will be spared. “There is no place for corruption in the state now. Our government is committed to delivering a transparent, accountable, and honest administration to the people,” he affirmed.
