The Congress has been out of power in Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. And it suffers from a dearth of top leadership in the state after Naxalites ambushed and killed a number of their leaders in 2013.

In 2013, the Congress lost the state to the BJP by a margin of 0.73 per cent of votes.

The Congress has given PL Punia, former chairman of the SC/ST Commission, charge of Chhattisgarh.

Punia told WION they are working on seats where smaller parties like the GGP and the BSP are strong. When asked about an alliance, he said, "All options are open. Final decision is yet to be taken.”&nbsp;

Punia's full interview to WION follows:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: What are the challenges for the Congress Party in Chhattisgarh?

PL Punia: Every election is a challenge whether in power or not. This time around the difference is that BJP has amassed lot of wealth and look insurmountable. But despite their financial strength, anti-incumbency exists in Chhattisgarh. Corruption is an issue. There are serious allegations against Chief Minister Raman Singh. We are also working on seats where parties like GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong. Roughly there are 15 seats where smaller parties make a difference in the state. I’m trying to ensure that vote does not get split.

WION: Is Congress thinking of an alliance with parties like GGP and BSP?

PL Punia: Not at the moment. We have left the option of alliance open. Rahul Gandhi has already said that alliances in the state would be decided on case to case basis. &nbsp;If required, alliances will be worked out in Chhattisgarh. We are working constituency to constituency basis and strengthening the cadre.

WION: How big a factor is former CM of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi?

PL Punia: He is not a factor at all. He is not in the Congress Party anymore that is an advantage to us. He was disliked by a certain section of the society. The traders and businessmen were averse to him. He will cut into the BJP’s vote share more than ours.

WION: Then why wasn’t he asked to leave?

PL Punia: Many leaders felt in the party that in his absence we would lose the elections. But in my opinion, he used to backstab the party. He would not let candidates opposed to him as CM face win elections. For this reason, he would support non Congress candidate to defeat official Congress candidate. He was not declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate in previous elections.

WION: Congress does not have a top leadership in the state. Isn’t that an issue?

PL Punia: Unfortunately, our leadership was targeted by the Naxalites. It is a fact. But we have collective leadership today. The top gives inspiration but the work is done at the level of booth. We are focused at the level of booth management. We have focused our efforts at the level of the workers and I’m sure it will work in the coming assembly elections.

WION: What are the issues on which the Congress is contesting elections?

PL Punia: Corruption is an issue. The state government has tweaked laws and made tribal lands available to non-tribal which is not allowed under the existing provisions. We have gone down to small hamlets and organised training session for our workers. We have asked our workers to tell voters as to what role did Congress Party contributed to freedom struggle and how BJP stayed away from it. Basic development too is an issue. This time tribal and Dalit segments will vote for us.

WION: Despite your focus on backward politics, BJP still ends up getting good numbers during elections?

PL Punia: Well, they will not get it in Chhattisgarh. “Kaath ki haandi baar baar nahi charhti hai.”

&nbsp;

Punia said they are working on seats where parties like the GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong, and that a decision on an alliance or alliances will be taken soon

The Congress has been out of power in Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. And it suffers from a dearth of top leadership in the state after Naxalites ambushed and killed a number of their leaders in 2013. In 2013, the Congress lost the state to the BJP by a margin of 0.73 per cent of votes. The Congress has given PL Punia, former chairman of the SC/ST Commission, charge of Chhattisgarh. Punia told WION they are working on seats where smaller parties like the GGP and the BSP are strong. When asked about an alliance, he said, "All options are open. Final decision is yet to be taken.” Punia's full interview to WION follows: WION: What are the challenges for the Congress Party in Chhattisgarh? PL Punia: Every election is a challenge whether in power or not. This time around the difference is that BJP has amassed lot of wealth and look insurmountable. But despite their financial strength, anti-incumbency exists in Chhattisgarh. Corruption is an issue. There are serious allegations against Chief Minister Raman Singh. We are also working on seats where parties like GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong. Roughly there are 15 seats where smaller parties make a difference in the state. I’m trying to ensure that vote does not get split. WION: Is Congress thinking of an alliance with parties like GGP and BSP? PL Punia: Not at the moment. We have left the option of alliance open. Rahul Gandhi has already said that alliances in the state would be decided on case to case basis. If required, alliances will be worked out in Chhattisgarh. We are working constituency to constituency basis and strengthening the cadre. WION: How big a factor is former CM of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi? PL Punia: He is not a factor at all. He is not in the Congress Party anymore that is an advantage to us. He was disliked by a certain section of the society. The traders and businessmen were averse to him. He will cut into the BJP’s vote share more than ours. WION: Then why wasn’t he asked to leave? PL Punia: Many leaders felt in the party that in his absence we would lose the elections. But in my opinion, he used to backstab the party. He would not let candidates opposed to him as CM face win elections. For this reason, he would support non Congress candidate to defeat official Congress candidate. He was not declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate in previous elections. WION: Congress does not have a top leadership in the state. Isn’t that an issue? PL Punia: Unfortunately, our leadership was targeted by the Naxalites. It is a fact. But we have collective leadership today. The top gives inspiration but the work is done at the level of booth. We are focused at the level of booth management. We have focused our efforts at the level of the workers and I’m sure it will work in the coming assembly elections. WION: What are the issues on which the Congress is contesting elections? PL Punia: Corruption is an issue. The state government has tweaked laws and made tribal lands available to non-tribal which is not allowed under the existing provisions. We have gone down to small hamlets and organised training session for our workers. We have asked our workers to tell voters as to what role did Congress Party contributed to freedom struggle and how BJP stayed away from it. Basic development too is an issue. This time tribal and Dalit segments will vote for us. WION: Despite your focus on backward politics, BJP still ends up getting good numbers during elections? PL Punia: Well, they will not get it in Chhattisgarh. “Kaath ki haandi baar baar nahi charhti hai.”

All options, including alliance, open in Chhattisgarh: Congress' PL Punia to WION

After living in the dark for 13 years, the electricity facility has reached&nbsp;Jagargunda&nbsp;village in&nbsp;Chhattisgarh.

The&nbsp;Jagargunda&nbsp;village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of&nbsp;Dantewada.

The village has a total population of approximately 898 people and there are about 199 houses in the village.

Reportedly on May 26, Leisang village in&nbsp;Manipur&nbsp;became the last village of the country to be added to the national power grid.

On May 29,&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;took to Twitter and said, "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity."

Recently, a remote tribal village in&nbsp;Amravati’s Bulumgavhan in&nbsp;Maharashtra&nbsp;was electrified after 70 years of independence.

The Jagargunda village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of Dantewada

After living in the dark for 13 years, the electricity facility has reached Jagargunda village in Chhattisgarh. The Jagargunda village where electricity facility has been restored falls under the Naxal-affected district of Dantewada. The village has a total population of approximately 898 people and there are about 199 houses in the village. Reportedly on May 26, Leisang village in Manipur became the last village of the country to be added to the national power grid. On May 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said, "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity." Recently, a remote tribal village in Amravati’s Bulumgavhan in Maharashtra was electrified after 70 years of independence.

Chhattisgarh: Jagargunda village gets electricity after 13 years

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that the states in India's eastern region like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are keeping India backward, especially on social indicators.

Speaking at the first Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Memorial Lecture at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Kant said, "Eastern part of India particularly states like Bihar, UP, Chattisgarh, MP, and Rajasthan are keeping India backward especially on social indicators. While we have improved on ease of doing business, we have remained backward on human development index."Kant further said that India is still 131 out of 188 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI).

Reacting to 'Challenges of Transforming India' he said that the part of southern and western India was doing well and growing speedily."And when the country's HDI has to improve and we have to focus on these social indicators. We are working on these things through Aspirational Districts Programme," he added.

Stressing upon the significance of sustainable growth, the NITI Aayog CEO said, "Education and health are vital and in these two areas India is lagging behind. Our learning outcomes are poor - a class 5 student is not able to do class 2 subtractions. Class 5 student is not able to read his mother tongue. Infant mortality rates are very high. Unless we improve on these aspects, it will be difficult to grow in a consistent way."

He also encouraged women to participate in decision-making process. He said, "There must be a conscious effort to frame policies to give women opportunities."

The other states he included in his list were Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that the states in India's eastern region like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are keeping India backward, especially on social indicators. Speaking at the first Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Memorial Lecture at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Kant said, "Eastern part of India particularly states like Bihar, UP, Chattisgarh, MP, and Rajasthan are keeping India backward especially on social indicators. While we have improved on ease of doing business, we have remained backward on human development index."Kant further said that India is still 131 out of 188 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI). Reacting to 'Challenges of Transforming India' he said that the part of southern and western India was doing well and growing speedily."And when the country's HDI has to improve and we have to focus on these social indicators. We are working on these things through Aspirational Districts Programme," he added. Stressing upon the significance of sustainable growth, the NITI Aayog CEO said, "Education and health are vital and in these two areas India is lagging behind. Our learning outcomes are poor - a class 5 student is not able to do class 2 subtractions. Class 5 student is not able to read his mother tongue. Infant mortality rates are very high. Unless we improve on these aspects, it will be difficult to grow in a consistent way." He also encouraged women to participate in decision-making process. He said, "There must be a conscious effort to frame policies to give women opportunities."

States like UP, Bihar holding India back: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant

The International Monetary Fund has said it wants continued momentum in India's growth and structural reforms despite the election period.

A number of elections are scheduled to be held in India within the next one year with assembly polls in Karnataka, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

"We are not saying that India's structural reform speed will slow down because of elections. What we are saying is that the growth momentum and the structural reform momentum should continue despite the election period," said Changyong Rhee, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF.

India is projected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-2019 as the economy recovers from temporary destruction due to currency exchange initiatives and the roll out of the new goods and services tax, Rhee said Thursday.

Ken Kang, Deputy Director, at the IMF Asia and Pacific Department said the implementation of the GST was "a major reform" of the Indian tax system.&nbsp

"In recent years, India has made impressive progress in reforms.. It (GST) will enhance the efficiency of intra-Indian movement of goods and services, help create a common national market as well as help boost jobs and growth," said Kang.

He said India's introduction of flexible inflation targeting and of a statutory monetary policy which has helped strengthen the monetary policy framework was another big achievement.&nbsp

"The government has recently announced a major recapitalisation plan for the public-sector banks in order to accelerate the work out of non-performing loans, as well as made some important legal improvements through a new insolvency and bankruptcy law," said Kang.

"The IMF hopes that the reform momentum would continue," Kang added.&nbsp

Looking ahead, said Kang, India needed to focus on labour market reforms with a focus on increasing formal female labour participation, to improve the business environment, and reduce complex regulations, but also to address supply bottlenecks, particularly in the agricultural sector and distribution networks.

Responding to a question, Kang said that the IMF expects India's role in the region to expand.

"India does have room to expand its export orientation and to reduce further trade and non-trade barriers. The statutory tariff rate in India is relatively high at about 15 per cent and higher than those in the rest of the region. So there is room to do more on trade reforms," he said.

A number of elections are scheduled to be held in India within the next one year with assembly polls in Karnataka, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha election

The International Monetary Fund has said it wants continued momentum in India's growth and structural reforms despite the election period. A number of elections are scheduled to be held in India within the next one year with assembly polls in Karnataka, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha election. "We are not saying that India's structural reform speed will slow down because of elections. What we are saying is that the growth momentum and the structural reform momentum should continue despite the election period," said Changyong Rhee, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF. India is projected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-2019 as the economy recovers from temporary destruction due to currency exchange initiatives and the roll out of the new goods and services tax, Rhee said Thursday. Ken Kang, Deputy Director, at the IMF Asia and Pacific Department said the implementation of the GST was "a major reform" of the Indian tax system. "In recent years, India has made impressive progress in reforms.. It (GST) will enhance the efficiency of intra-Indian movement of goods and services, help create a common national market as well as help boost jobs and growth," said Kang. He said India's introduction of flexible inflation targeting and of a statutory monetary policy which has helped strengthen the monetary policy framework was another big achievement. "The government has recently announced a major recapitalisation plan for the public-sector banks in order to accelerate the work out of non-performing loans, as well as made some important legal improvements through a new insolvency and bankruptcy law," said Kang. "The IMF hopes that the reform momentum would continue," Kang added. Looking ahead, said Kang, India needed to focus on labour market reforms with a focus on increasing formal female labour participation, to improve the business environment, and reduce complex regulations, but also to address supply bottlenecks, particularly in the agricultural sector and distribution networks. Responding to a question, Kang said that the IMF expects India's role in the region to expand. "India does have room to expand its export orientation and to reduce further trade and non-trade barriers. The statutory tariff rate in India is relatively high at about 15 per cent and higher than those in the rest of the region. So there is room to do more on trade reforms," he said.

India's growth momentum must continue despite elections: IMF

Union Cabinet has given its approval to the proposal for the setting up of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal.

The Tribunal will be set up under the provisions of the Inter-State River Disputes Act, 1956 at the request of the state of Odisha, one of the parties to the dispute.

The Tribunal will have to determine the water sharing arrangement among basin states of Odisha and Chattisgarh.

The tribunal will take its decisions based on certain parameters, which will include the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin; the contribution of each state to the Mahanadi basin and the present utilisation of water resources in each state along with potential for future development.

It is expected that the Tribunal will through its adjudication and it is expected that it will help bring to an end the long-standing dispute between the States of Odisha and Chattisgarh over the sharing of the water of the Mahanadi river.

According to the provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD), Act, 1956 the tribunal will have three members, including a Chairman and two other members, who will be nominated by the Chief Justice of India from amongst the judges of the Supreme Court or the High Courts.

The Tribunal will be required to submit its report and decision within a period of three years, which can be further extended for a period not exceeding more than two years due to unavoidable reasons.

It is expected that the Tribunal will through its adjudication and it is expected that it will help bring to an end the long-standing dispute between the States of Odisha and Chattisgarh over the sharing of the water of the Mahanadi river

Union Cabinet has given its approval to the proposal for the setting up of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal. The Tribunal will be set up under the provisions of the Inter-State River Disputes Act, 1956 at the request of the state of Odisha, one of the parties to the dispute. The Tribunal will have to determine the water sharing arrangement among basin states of Odisha and Chattisgarh. The tribunal will take its decisions based on certain parameters, which will include the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin; the contribution of each state to the Mahanadi basin and the present utilisation of water resources in each state along with potential for future development. It is expected that the Tribunal will through its adjudication and it is expected that it will help bring to an end the long-standing dispute between the States of Odisha and Chattisgarh over the sharing of the water of the Mahanadi river. According to the provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD), Act, 1956 the tribunal will have three members, including a Chairman and two other members, who will be nominated by the Chief Justice of India from amongst the judges of the Supreme Court or the High Courts. The Tribunal will be required to submit its report and decision within a period of three years, which can be further extended for a period not exceeding more than two years due to unavoidable reasons.

Cabinet approves Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal

Chilli harvesting on the farms of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana draws many young workers from the bordering states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They come here not for the wages, but to take home chillies for the whole year. Such is the desire to stock the hot condiment that some of the boys and girls probably even miss school to join the large chilli-harvesting labour force. It&rsquo;s their only chance in the year to collect and bring home this daily staple.

The children consume far fewer chillis than the adults in their families, for whom it&rsquo;s a daily food item. But they are in the forefront here &ndash; at least half of the labourers here are children &ndash; stocking up the entire year&rsquo;s supply. They manage to &ldquo;earn&rdquo; enough of the precious chillies to last till the next harvest. Instead of Rs.120 as daily wages, they prefer to get paid in chillies worth that amount &ndash; it adds up to half or even a full quintal of chillies for some families, depending on the amount of work done. At around Rs. 100 a kilo, that works out to Rs.10,000 for a quintal.

This is rich earnings, and more economical for the families. A family may consume between 12-20 kilos of chillis a year. What remains could be sold in the market for an extra income. And it ensures a year-round stock at home of the best and freshest farm plucked chillies.

&ldquo;We are 20 people from our village and we will stay here for three weeks,&rdquo; Umashankar Podiyami from Gutumuda village of Odisha&rsquo;s Malkangiri district said. &quot;Everyone in this group prefers to work for chillies rather than for money.&rdquo;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/02-dsc_0024-pst-children_of_the_chilli_fie.max-1400x1120-20171120062241.jpg" />
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Umashankar has come from Malkangiri district to earn chillis for his family (Others)
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Massive mounds of the bright red spice are piled on the roads alongside the green chilli farms of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The chillis are in abundance from February to April. The mostly tribal labourers from adjoining Odisha and Chhattisgarh pluck, sort, stack, fill and ready the chillies for transportation to the market for retail or export.

Enthusiastic children &ndash; around half of the labour force here &ndash; run around the chilli mounds, sorting and packing the chillis into jute sacks. Despite the enthusiasm, it is poverty that drives the children to these farms. Most of their families live below the poverty line. A lack of employment in their own regions compels them to cross the border into India&rsquo;s top chilli-producing states.

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Adivasis from Chhattisgarh and Odisha work on collecting the chillis (Others)
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Besides, chilli is the only consistent item in all their meals, including breakfast. It has nutrients that enable them to subsist without many other food items. It also adds spice to some otherwise unpalatable dishes. Chilli is also used in their rituals and therefore the demand for it is even greater.

Vetti Moye, 14, was among those who had crossed the Chhattisgarh border to work in the chilli fields of Andhra Pradesh. After Moye, who is from Badecity village in Sukma district, lost his father to malaria two years ago, he had to leave school to earn a living from the family&rsquo;s small plot of land. Sometimes, he also works on construction sites. After harvesting his own land, he was here for the chilli collection.

Moye had come with 35 other workers from his village. All of them said they prefer to take chillies home instead of money. &quot;The wage for plucking chilli is Rs. 120 a day, &ldquo; Moye said. &ldquo;If paid through chilli, we get one out of every 12 lots of chilli we pluck. We prefer this as our wage.&rdquo;

At the end of the season, the young labourers from across the borders take the chilli bounty home to sustain their households and add a bit of spice to their lives. Schooling and other activities take a backseat when the chillies have to come home.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/04-dsc_0108-pst-children_of_the_chilli_fie.max-1400x1120-20171120062357.jpg" />
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Sacks-full of chillis being taken home to stock up for the year (Others)
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This <a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/children-of-the-chilli-fields">article</a> was originally published on 21/11/2015 on the <a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India</a>.

Groups of labourers, many of them children, cross the borders to work on the farms of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ? and take home chillis as wages

Chilli harvesting on the farms of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana draws many young workers from the bordering states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They come here not for the wages, but to take home chillies for the whole year. Such is the desire to stock the hot condiment that some of the boys and girls probably even miss school to join the large chilli-harvesting labour force. It’s their only chance in the year to collect and bring home this daily staple. The children consume far fewer chillis than the adults in their families, for whom it’s a daily food item. But they are in the forefront here – at least half of the labourers here are children – stocking up the entire year’s supply. They manage to “earn” enough of the precious chillies to last till the next harvest. Instead of Rs.120 as daily wages, they prefer to get paid in chillies worth that amount – it adds up to half or even a full quintal of chillies for some families, depending on the amount of work done. At around Rs. 100 a kilo, that works out to Rs.10,000 for a quintal. This is rich earnings, and more economical for the families. A family may consume between 12-20 kilos of chillis a year. What remains could be sold in the market for an extra income. And it ensures a year-round stock at home of the best and freshest farm plucked chillies. “We are 20 people from our village and we will stay here for three weeks,” Umashankar Podiyami from Gutumuda village of Odisha’s Malkangiri district said. "Everyone in this group prefers to work for chillies rather than for money.” Umashankar has come from Malkangiri district to earn chillis for his family (Others) × Massive mounds of the bright red spice are piled on the roads alongside the green chilli farms of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The chillis are in abundance from February to April. The mostly tribal labourers from adjoining Odisha and Chhattisgarh pluck, sort, stack, fill and ready the chillies for transportation to the market for retail or export. Enthusiastic children – around half of the labour force here – run around the chilli mounds, sorting and packing the chillis into jute sacks. Despite the enthusiasm, it is poverty that drives the children to these farms. Most of their families live below the poverty line. A lack of employment in their own regions compels them to cross the border into India’s top chilli-producing states. Adivasis from Chhattisgarh and Odisha work on collecting the chillis (Others) × Besides, chilli is the only consistent item in all their meals, including breakfast. It has nutrients that enable them to subsist without many other food items. It also adds spice to some otherwise unpalatable dishes. Chilli is also used in their rituals and therefore the demand for it is even greater. Vetti Moye, 14, was among those who had crossed the Chhattisgarh border to work in the chilli fields of Andhra Pradesh. After Moye, who is from Badecity village in Sukma district, lost his father to malaria two years ago, he had to leave school to earn a living from the family’s small plot of land. Sometimes, he also works on construction sites. After harvesting his own land, he was here for the chilli collection. Moye had come with 35 other workers from his village. All of them said they prefer to take chillies home instead of money. "The wage for plucking chilli is Rs. 120 a day, “ Moye said. “If paid through chilli, we get one out of every 12 lots of chilli we pluck. We prefer this as our wage.” At the end of the season, the young labourers from across the borders take the chilli bounty home to sustain their households and add a bit of spice to their lives. Schooling and other activities take a backseat when the chillies have to come home. Sacks-full of chillis being taken home to stock up for the year (Others) × This article was originally published on 21/11/2015 on the People's Archive of Rural India.

Children of the chilli fields

The Chhattisgarh government has written a letter to CBI to probe into the &quot;sex CD&quot; row allegedly involving a state minister.

The &quot;sex CD&quot; charges have been put against Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Munat.&nbsp;

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I have written letter to CBI today to investigate the matter: Chhattisgarh CM on Chhattisgarh Min Rajesh Munat&#39;s alleged sex video issue <a href="https://t.co/cFfjxKOvcc">pic.twitter.com/cFfjxKOvcc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/924543695382179840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The matter of &quot;sex CD&quot; came to light after&nbsp;senior journalist Vinod Verma was arrested by Chhattisgarh police in his home in Ghaziabad.&nbsp;

His arrest was based on a suspected blackmail and extortion related to a sex CD.

Verma had claimed that the Chhattisgarh government was not happy with him because he had a &quot;sex CD of Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Munot&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chattisgarh-police-arrests-journalist-vinod-verma-allege-extortion-23005" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Chhattisgarh police arrest journalist Vinod Verma, allege extortion</a>

Munot dismissed Verma&#39;s charges calling it &quot;fake&quot; and an attempt to character assassination.&nbsp;

A meeting was held Saturday where the party decided CBI investigation into the matter.&nbsp;

State&#39;s revenue minister Prem Prakash Pandey had said earlier that the CD was fake. Citing a local news channel he added that even the news channel has said that the CD was tampered with.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said that the&nbsp;matter seems to be a &quot;political and criminal conspiracy&quot; and therefore needed a CBI investigation because it was a result of a conspiracy planted by Congress.&nbsp;

Claiming that the state minister cannot influence a CBI probe Pandey&nbsp;also hinted that the&nbsp;PWD Minister Rajesh Munot, allegedly involved in the row, will not step down from his post.

Munot had earlier demanded that the CD be examined for its genuineness and action to be taken against those found involved in the conspiracy.

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Had requested CM, BJP State president &amp; national leadership for a high level enquiry into the matter: Chhattisgarh Min Rajesh Munat <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDRow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CDRow</a> <a href="https://t.co/EQenFGtJT2">pic.twitter.com/EQenFGtJT2</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/924555584501719041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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CBI will now probe as to who is behind the fake CD and who hatched the political conspiracy: Chhattisgarh Minister Rajesh Munat <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDRow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CDRow</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/924555616504254464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Please check facts before leveling allegations. Assassinating character of a person and making fake CDs is a matter of concern: Rajesh Munat <a href="https://t.co/f4hFzCGD12">pic.twitter.com/f4hFzCGD12</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/924556263429627904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Also on the basis of Munat&#39;s complaint, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-sex-cd-after-arrest-of-journalist-police-file-fir-against-state-congress-chief-23060" target="_blank">a case was&nbsp;registered against state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel</a>.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI and ANI) 
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State's revenue minister Prem Prakash Pandey had said that the?matter seems to be a 'political and criminal conspiracy' and therefore needed a CBI investigation

The Chhattisgarh government has written a letter to CBI to probe into the "sex CD" row allegedly involving a state minister. The "sex CD" charges have been put against Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Munat. I have written letter to CBI today to investigate the matter: Chhattisgarh CM on Chhattisgarh Min Rajesh Munat's alleged sex video issue pic.twitter.com/cFfjxKOvcc — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2017 × The matter of "sex CD" came to light after senior journalist Vinod Verma was arrested by Chhattisgarh police in his home in Ghaziabad. His arrest was based on a suspected blackmail and extortion related to a sex CD. Verma had claimed that the Chhattisgarh government was not happy with him because he had a "sex CD of Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Munot". Also read: Chhattisgarh police arrest journalist Vinod Verma, allege extortion Munot dismissed Verma's charges calling it "fake" and an attempt to character assassination. A meeting was held Saturday where the party decided CBI investigation into the matter. State's revenue minister Prem Prakash Pandey had said earlier that the CD was fake. Citing a local news channel he added that even the news channel has said that the CD was tampered with. He said that the matter seems to be a "political and criminal conspiracy" and therefore needed a CBI investigation because it was a result of a conspiracy planted by Congress. Claiming that the state minister cannot influence a CBI probe Pandey also hinted that the PWD Minister Rajesh Munot, allegedly involved in the row, will not step down from his post. Munot had earlier demanded that the CD be examined for its genuineness and action to be taken against those found involved in the conspiracy. Had requested CM, BJP State president & national leadership for a high level enquiry into the matter: Chhattisgarh Min Rajesh Munat #CDRow pic.twitter.com/EQenFGtJT2 — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2017 × CBI will now probe as to who is behind the fake CD and who hatched the political conspiracy: Chhattisgarh Minister Rajesh Munat #CDRow — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2017 × Please check facts before leveling allegations. Assassinating character of a person and making fake CDs is a matter of concern: Rajesh Munat pic.twitter.com/f4hFzCGD12 — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2017 × Also on the basis of Munat's complaint, a case was registered against state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)

Chhattisgarh CM writes to CBI for probe into 'sex CD' row

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