Chhattisgarh govt to withdraw cases against surrendered Maoists: Cabinet greenlights proposal; District-level panels to be set up
Raipur
The Chhattisgarh government has approved the withdrawal of legal cases against surrendered Maoists who demonstrate good behaviour and reject violence. The decision was taken during the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led Cabinet meeting held in Raipur on Wednesday.
The government will constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee and District-Level Committees to oversee the process. This measure aims to provide relief to individuals who have abandoned Naxal violence.
Cabinet Approves Ease of Business Measures
The Cabinet also approved the second edition of the Jan Vishwas Bill-2025 to simplify laws and promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
The bill proposes changes to 116 provisions across 14 Acts of 11 departments.
The amendments will substitute criminal penalties for minor violations with administrative penalties and provide for faster resolution.
Chhattisgarh is the first state in India to introduce the second edition of the Jan Vishwas Bill.
Separately, the Cabinet granted approval to the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill for the First Supplementary Estimate 2025-26.
How District Committees Will Function
The District-Level Committee will supervise the process for withdrawing cases against surrendered Maoists.
The committee will submit a report regarding the withdrawal of criminal cases to the Police Headquarters (PHQ).
The PHQ will forward the proposal along with its recommendations.
After seeking the opinion of the Law Department, the government will present the cases to the Cabinet Sub-Committee.
Cases suggested by the Sub-Committee will then be placed before the Cabinet for final approval.
For cases involving Central laws or those pertaining to the Central Government, the required permission will be obtained from the Government of India.
Other matters will be forwarded to the District Magistrate to move the court for the withdrawal of the case through the Government Counsel.
Key Decisions from Previous Cabinet Meetings
The Cabinet also recalled some important decisions taken earlier:
The Mukhyamantri Urja Rahat Jan Abhiyan (M-URJA) was approved, which provides a 50% electricity subsidy for domestic consumers, increasing the limit from 100 units to 200 units starting 1 December 2025.
To promote the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, an additional subsidy of ₹15,000 for a 1-kilowatt solar plant and ₹30,000 for a 2-kilowatt or higher plant was announced. This assistance aims to help beneficiaries achieve zero electricity bills.
To strengthen higher education and boost employment, the Chhattisgarh Private Universities Amendment Bill 2025 and the Shops and Establishment Amendment Bill 2025 were approved.
