Baghel-team decides SIT to probe irregularities

In a Chhattisgarh Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel a decision was taken to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the financial irregularities of Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation.

The irregularities are reported to be linked with former chief minister Dr Raman Singh and people in the chief minister's residence, according to the seized documents.

Congress had claimed that the previous government had suppressed a probe by targeting few officials and leaving out the political angle involved.

Another major decision taken in the meeting was to reject the recommendation of the an 11-member committee of commercial tax (excise) on the existing excise policy.

It was decided that a new committee with 11 members be constituted to study and submit a report on the policy within two months.

At present the state government is selling both Indian Made Foreign Liquor and country made liquor.

The cabinet also decided to increase the number of ministers from 15% of the total Assembly strength to 20%— a government resolution for the same will be tabled in next Assembly session.

Briefing the media, ministers Ravindra Choubey and Mohammed Akbar said that the agriculture department will be known as agriculture development and farmers welfare department.

They also said that the Governor's address and the third supplementary budget for 2018 was also given an approval. The first Assembly session of Chhattisgarh will commence on January 4.