Latest news with #ChhattisgarhAssembly
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jal Jeevan Mission under fire: Accusing dy CM Sao of providing inaccurate info, Oppn MLAs walk out
Raipur: A fiery debate erupted in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Tuesday regarding the progress and expenditure of the Jal Jeevan Mission, with the opposition alleging significant discrepancies in the reported figures and a slow pace of work under the current govt. The discussion began with a question from former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel seeking details on the expenditure and targets under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Deputy chief minister, who also heads the public works department, Arun Sao responded, providing district-wise expenditure details and stating that 31,16,398 households so far received tap water connections. Baghel then raised concerns, highlighting a drastic reduction in expenditure in several districts during the 2024-25 financial year compared to the previous two years. He pointed out that Raipur, Mungeli, Rajnandgaon, Janjgir, Jashpur, and Balrampur districts saw significantly lower spending. For example, Janjgir, which spent Rs 320 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 338 crore in 2022-23, only spent Rs 79 crore in 2024-25. Similarly, Koriya spent only Rs 43 crore in 2024-25, compared to Rs 135 crore earlier. Baghel also questioned the achievement of targets for tap connections, alleging severe shortfalls. The deputy chief minister clarified the expenditure figures, stating that Rs 4,203 crore was spent in 2022-23 (16% of the total project cost), Rs 5,474 crore in 2023-24 (20%), and Rs 3,522 crore in 2024-25 (14%). He added that till July 1, 2025, a total of Rs 15,045 crore, or approximately 57% of the project cost, was spent, and 31 lakh households are receiving tap water. He acknowledged that the project, originally slated for completion in 2024, was not completed on time. Sao attributed the varying performance across districts to the availability of resources and the pace of work. Sao further stated that the previous govt's 'e-mission' portal recorded 36 lakh tap connections by Dec 2023 for the purpose of showing progress, but a verification in June 2024 revealed that only 21 lakh households were actually receiving water. He accused the previous govt of merely installing connections and taps without ensuring water supply. He added that the current govt provided an additional 12,316 borewells to ensure water supply, and 3,836 villages now have complete tap water access. Out of approximately 29,000 projects, 5,017 projects are fully functional. Baghel further cornered the deputy chief minister, questioning the pace of work by the current govt. He said that based on the deputy chief minister's own figures, the current govt only provided 10 lakh connections in two years since taking office, while the previous govt provided 21 lakh connections. He asked for clarification on whether the 21 lakh figure truly represented households receiving water or if it was merely an inflated statistic. Other opposition MLAs, including Dilip Lahariya and Yashodamani Verma, interjected, claiming that the ground reality was different and that water was not reaching many villages. They alleged that the figures presented were false. Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant also joined in on the debate, highlighting that the current govt, in its 20-month tenure, completed only 7% of the Jal Jeevan Mission work, while the previous govt completed 73% by Dec 2023. . The deputy chief minister reiterated that the 21 lakh figure was from June 2024, which includes the work done in the first six months of the current govt's tenure. He stated that the govt gave approximately 10 lakh water connections with actual water supply since taking office. Unsatisfied with the deputy chief minister's response, the opposition MLAs, led by Baghel, staged a walkout.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fertiliser crisis: Ruckus in House, 23 Oppn MLAs suspended & reinstated
Raipur: Opposition Congress MLAs on Monday protested in the Chhattisgarh Assembly over the shortage of fertilisers and seeds in the state. The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Dr Charandas Mahant, who moved an adjournment motion during the Zero Hour of the monsoon session. Agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam responded to the concerns, after which Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the motion. This led to protests and slogan-shouting by Congress MLAs in the well, prompting a brief adjournment of the House. Subsequently, 23 MLAs were suspended for entering the well, but were later reinstated. Presenting the adjournment notice, Dr Charandas Mahant said that Chhattisgarh has 40.10 lakh farmers, including 80% small and marginal farmers. The state primarily cultivates Kharif paddy. Unfortunately, farmers are currently facing a severe shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser. He alleged that the state govt has failed to ensure an adequate supply of fertilisers and has advised farmers to use alternative chemical options, which has increased cultivation costs. Dr Mahant claimed that an artificial scarcity of fertilisers has persisted in the state for the past two years, attributing it to the government's lack of will and indifferent attitude towards farmers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo For Kharif 2025, the government set a supply target of 3.10 Metric tonnes, which was 30,000 tonnes less than the target for Kharif 2024. So far, only 1.1 lakh tonnes of DAP have been supplied. Similarly, while 7.12 lakh tonnes of urea were to be supplied this Kharif season, only 3.59 lakh tonnes have been distributed. The estimated demand for paddy seeds was 4,32,159 quintals, while cooperative societies in Chhattisgarh had only 3,83,169 quintals in storage, Mahant informed the Assembly. He further said that despite the presence of a double-engine government, farmers are being forced to abandon farming and protest on roads at the state, district, and block levels due to the fertiliser crisis. Farmers allege that government cooperative societies lack fertilisers, while black marketing is rampant in the open market, compelling them to purchase DAP at inflated prices. He added that the alternative fertilisers advised due to the DAP shortage in primary cooperative societies are more expensive and of inferior quality compared to last year, imposing a double burden on farmers. Dr Mahant emphasized that this is not the first time the state has faced a fertiliser shortage, noting similar conditions prevailed last year as well. He demanded an immediate discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion to address farmers' distress. Patan MLA and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel supported the motion, adding that farmers in Chhattisgarh are suffering due to the ongoing fertiliser crisis. In response, Agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam said that the govt is raising awareness among farmers about the balanced use of fertilisers and is providing training on alternatives. He acknowledged that the supply of phosphatic fertilisers was affected, prompting early alternative arrangements. Nano fertilisers have been recommended and stored in large quantities, he added. The minister cited global factors as the reason for the disrupted supply of chemical fertilisers. He said fertiliser stocks, including potash and other types, have exceeded targets, and sowing has been completed in over 28 lakh hectares, surpassing previous records. Following the minister's statement, speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the opposition's motion.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fertiliser shortage sparks uproar in Chhattisgarh assembly house; 23 Congress MLAs suspended; later reinstated
Raipur: Opposition Congress MLAs on Monday protested in the Chhattisgarh Assembly over the shortage of fertilisers and seeds in the state. The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Dr Charandas Mahant, who moved an adjournment motion during the Zero Hour of the monsoon session. Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam responded to the concerns, after which Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the motion. This led to protests and slogan-shouting by Congress MLAs in the Well, prompting a brief adjournment of the House. Subsequently, 23 MLAs were suspended for entering the Well, but were later reinstated. Presenting the adjournment notice, Dr Mahant stated that farmers cultivating paddy during the Kharif season are facing a severe shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser. He alleged that the state government has failed to ensure adequate fertiliser supply and has advised farmers to use alternative chemical fertilisers, which has increased cultivation costs by Rs 55 per acre. Dr Mahant claimed that an artificial scarcity of fertiliser has affected the state for the past two years, attributing it to the government's "lack of will and indifferent attitude towards farmers". For the Kharif 2024 season, the government had set a target of 3.40 lakh metric tonnes of DAP but only managed to stock approximately 50,000 metric tonnes less than the demand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo For Kharif 2025, the government set a supply target of 3.10 lakh metric tonnes, but only 1 lakh metric tonnes have been stocked so far. Dr Mahant emphasised that DAP fertiliser is crucial for optimal paddy yield, yet only about 30 per cent of the total requirement has been made available to the state. He added that the central government allocates the fertiliser quota for the state. Dr Mahant stated that despite having a "double-engine" government, farmers are forced to abandon their farming work and protest on roads at state, district, and block levels due to the fertiliser crisis. Farmers allege that government cooperative societies lack fertiliser, while black marketing of fertiliser is rampant in the open market, compelling them to purchase DAP from the market at Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per bag. He further added that alternative fertilisers, advised due to the DAP shortage in primary cooperative societies, are more expensive and of inferior quality compared to last year, imposing a double burden on farmers. Dr Mahant highlighted that this is not the first time the state has faced a fertiliser problem, with similar conditions prevailing last year. He demanded an immediate discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion to alleviate farmers' distress. Patan MLA and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel added that farmers in Chhattisgarh are suffering due to the fertiliser crisis. He stated that the government has failed to provide fertilisers, forcing farmers to purchase them at double the price from open markets. In response, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam stated that the government is raising awareness among farmers for balanced use of fertilisers and providing training on alternative fertilisers. He acknowledged that phosphatic fertiliser supply was affected, prompting early alternative arrangements. He stated that nano fertilisers were recommended and stored in large quantities. The minister stated that global reasons have affected the supply of chemical fertilisers. He added that fertiliser storage exceeded targets, and potash and other fertilisers were also stored. He informed the House that sowing had been completed in over 28 lakh hectares, surpassing previous figures. Following the minister's statement, Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the Opposition's adjournment motion. Dissatisfied with the decision and the minister's statement, Congress MLAs protested and chanted slogans in the Well, leading to another brief adjournment of the House.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Chhattisgarh assembly monsoon session begins today; congress gears up to corner BJP govt
RAIPUR: A 5-day monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly begins on Monday and is likely to be stormy as the opposition Congress has geared up to launch an onslaught on the ruling BJP government led by Vishnu Deo Sai. Around 1000 questions have been listed for the Question Hour in the upcoming session. According to official sources, the BJP government is likely to introduce some key bills besides a supplementary budget during the session. The leader of the opposition, Charandas Mahant, who chaired a meeting of his party MLAs ahead of the session at Rajiv Bhawan, conveyed that every important issue related to public interest should be raised with an aggressive stance to corner the government. The Congress legislators have been instructed to attend the monsoon session with their full preparation, supported with facts and reasoning on various key issues that are to come up for discussions in the House.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Differently-abled to gherao Chhattisgarh Assembly over 6-point demand, seek inclusion in Mahtari Vandan Yojana
Chhattisgarh Assembly RAIPUR: In a significant development ahead of the monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, the Chhattisgarh Divyangjan Seva Sangh has announced that differently-abled individuals across the state will stage a massive gherao of the Assembly on July 16. The move comes after three years of protests over a six-point charter of demands that remain unaddressed by the government. One of the key demands gaining attention is the inclusion of unmarried differently-abled women aged 21 and above under 'Mahtari Vandan Yojana', a state-run welfare scheme currently limited to married women. The Sangh has urged the state government to modify the eligibility criteria to accommodate these women, highlighting the social realities faced by the differently-abled. Explaining the rationale behind this demand, Sangh functionaries said that many differently-abled women are unable to find life partners due to prevailing social biases and challenges. 'Just because they are unmarried shouldn't mean they are excluded from financial support,' said Sangh Secretary Santosh Kumar Tonde. 'The rule mandating marriage for eligibility under the scheme must be re-examined in the case of differently-abled women. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Doctor: If You Eat Banana Every Day, This Is What Happens WellnessGuide Learn more Undo They too are mothers, caretakers, and homemakers in many ways, and deserve dignity and state support,' he said. The Mahtari Vandan Yojana, launched by the state government to empower women through monthly financial assistance, currently extends benefits only to married women. The Sangh's demand is rooted in the broader principle of social justice and inclusive welfare, arguing that marital status should not determine eligibility for basic economic rights, especially for those who are already marginalized. Another major concern raised by the Sangh is the alleged misuse of disability certificates. The association has submitted a list of 127 individuals, including deputy collectors, naib tehsildars, accounts officers, cooperative inspectors, and veterinary doctors, who, they allege, secured government jobs using fraudulent disability certificates. The list includes seven deputy collectors and several officers selected by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC). 'The government must initiate a thorough inquiry and dismiss those found guilty, as they are taking away opportunities meant for genuinely disabled persons,' Tonde stated. Key Demands of the Sangh Dismissal of government employees with fake disability certificates after proper investigation. Increase in disability pension from Rs 500 to Rs 5000 per month. Special recruitment drive to fill backlog posts reserved for the differently-abled, pending since 2009. Implementation of 3% reservation in promotions for differently-abled government employees, with calculations dating back to November 1, 2000. Inclusion of unmarried differently-abled women above 21 years in the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. Recovery of loans taken fraudulently in the name of disability and provision of interest-free loans without guarantors for genuine differently-abled individuals.
