Chhattisgarh Cabinet Clears Key Decisions Under CM Vishnu Deo Sai
Approves process to withdraw cases against surrendered Naxalites; endorses second Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill
- Cabinet approves structured mechanism to withdraw cases against surrendered Naxalites.
- District- and state-level committees to scrutinise and recommend case withdrawals.
- Jan Vishwas (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to simplify 14 state laws and reduce judicial burden.
- Reforms expected to boost ease of living, ease of doing business, and governance efficiency.
GG News Bureau
Raipur, 12th Dec: The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, on Wednesday approved several major policy decisions, including a comprehensive mechanism for withdrawing criminal cases against surrendered Naxalites. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residence in Civil Lines, also cleared the draft of the Chhattisgarh Jan Vishwas (Provisions Amendment) (Second) Bill), 2025, aimed at simplifying state laws and strengthening good governance.
The Cabinet endorsed a structured, multi-tier process for examining criminal cases filed against surrendered Naxalites. Under the framework, district-level committees will scrutinise each case and forward their recommendations to the Police Headquarters. After legal vetting by the Law Department, the proposals will be reviewed by a Cabinet Sub-Committee, which will then place its final recommendations before the Cabinet. The state emphasised that only those Naxalites who have demonstrated good behaviour and contributed to anti-Naxal operations will be eligible for relief.
Officials noted that this process aligns with the Chhattisgarh Naxalite Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, which seeks to encourage rehabilitation while ensuring legal due diligence. Cases involving central laws will require Union Government approval. Other cases recommended for withdrawal will be sent to District Magistrates to initiate legal procedures through the Public Prosecutor.
Another major decision was the approval of the Chhattisgarh Jan Vishwas (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes amendments to 116 provisions across 14 Acts under 11 departments. The Bill seeks to replace minor criminal penalties with administrative fines, thereby reducing the burden on courts and expediting relief for citizens and businesses. The government noted that outdated penalty provisions in several laws had hindered effective enforcement, and the new amendments aim to modernise the legal framework.
This is the second edition of the Jan Vishwas reforms, making Chhattisgarh the first state in India to bring a follow-up version of the legislation. Earlier this year, the government had amended 163 provisions across eight Acts under the first Jan Vishwas initiative. Officials said the reforms reflect the government’s commitment to ease of living, ease of doing business, and time-appropriate governance.
The Cabinet also approved the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2025 to facilitate the presentation of the First Supplementary Budget for 2025-26 in the Legislative Assembly.
With these decisions, the state government reiterated its focus on transparent governance, legal reform, and a rehabilitative approach to counter-insurgency.
