Bais was elected to Municipal Corporation of Raipur in 1978. He was a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1984. He was elected to 9th Lok Sabha from Raipur, Madhya Pradesh in 1989 and was re-elected to 11th, 12th, 13th ,14th and 15th Lok Sabha. He also served as a Union minister in the Government of India.
Ministerial posts held
Oct. 1999- Sept.2000 Union Minister of State, Chemicals and Fertilizers
Sept. 2000- Jan. 2003 Union Minister of State, Information and Broadcasting
Jan. 2003- Jan. 2004 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Mines
Jan. 2004 - May 2004 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Environment & Forests