The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has passed the Chhattisgarh Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2026, effectively abolishing the 12% additional cess on land and property registration that was imposed in 2023. This move provides significant relief to homebuyers and property registrants across the state.
The cess, levied over and above the regular stamp duty (typically 4-6% on property value), was originally introduced to fund the Rajiv Gandhi Mitan Club Scheme under the previous government. Since the scheme is no longer operational, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai decided to scrap the additional charge. The amendment was initially approved by the state cabinet in early March 2026 and subsequently passed by the assembly during its recent session.
This decision is expected to substantially reduce the overall cost of property transactions in Chhattisgarh, making real estate more affordable for residents and encouraging registration compliance.
In a separate but significant development during the same assembly session, lawmakers passed the Chhattisgarh Public Recruitment and Professional Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2026. This stringent legislation aims to curb malpractices such as paper leaks, cheating, impersonation, and organised fraud in public recruitment exams and professional entrance tests.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Severe penalties — Up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines as high as ₹1 crore for those found guilty of using or facilitating unfair means.
- Comprehensive coverage of the entire examination process, from question paper setting and printing to evaluation and result declaration.
- Definitions and criminalisation of terms like "unfair means," "organised crime," and involvement by service providers, candidates, or officials.
The bill is seen as a direct response to recurring examination scandals in the state (often referred to in the context of past Vyapam-style irregularities) and aligns with similar national efforts to protect the integrity of competitive exams. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised that the law sends a strong message against those who compromise the future of youth through such malpractices.
Alongside this, the assembly also cleared related reforms, including the establishment of a new Chhattisgarh Staff Selection Board to handle recruitment for various Group-III and Group-IV posts more transparently.
These twin legislative actions — one offering financial relief in the real estate sector and the other strengthening exam integrity — reflect the state government's focus on citizen-centric reforms and restoring trust in public systems. The bills now await formal assent before becoming law.
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