Raipur, May 7, 2025/
During the third phase of the Good Governance Festival, the Chhattisgarh government has once again made it clear that its policy towards corruption is one of ‘zero tolerance’. Following the confirmation that three contractual employees associated with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme) in Bemetara district were demanding bribes from beneficiaries and extorting them through intimidation, swift and strict action has been taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai.
Information about the incident came to light through a viral audio clip in which Smt. Neera Sahu, Awas Mitra (Housing Friend) of Gram Panchayat Airamshahi, was clearly heard demanding a bribe of Rs 25,000 in return for releasing an installment of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. During the Tehsildar’s investigation, Neera Sahu herself admitted that the voice in the audio was hers.
In the same case, evidence was found that Shri Narayan Sahu, who is a Rojgar Sahayak (Employment Assistant) in Gram Panchayat Tendua, was threatening beneficiaries and demanding Rs 10,000. Furthermore, serious allegations were made by villagers against his wife, Smt. Ishwari Sahu, who was posted as Rojgar Sahayak in Gram Panchayat Airamshahi, that she was intimidating beneficiaries and demanding money.
Based on the written report of the Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat Nawagarh, and the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Nandghat Police Station, all three culprits—Neera Sahu, Narayan Sahu, and Ishwari Sahu—have been dismissed from service with immediate effect. This order has been issued with the approval of the Collector, Bemetara.
In the aforementioned case, an FIR has been registered at Nandghat Police Station under sections 308(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and a proper investigation into the matter has been initiated.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that this action is a testament to the core objective of the Good Governance Festival. He said that transparency, accountability, and honesty are paramount in the effective implementation of public welfare schemes. Corruption will not be tolerated at any level.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government is ensuring that no officer or employee misuses the rights of the common people, and if they do, they will face immediate and strict legal action. The Chief Minister said that this is not just action against corruption, but a commitment to good governance.