Latest news with #ChhattisgarhLegislativeAssembly
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
30 Congress MLAs suspended for day after uproar over DAP fertiliser crisis
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Thursday as 30 Congress MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel , were suspended for the day following a ruckus over the shortage of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertilizer in the state. The suspension came after the Opposition MLAs trooped into the well of the House and disrupted proceedings, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House twice. The fourth day of the monsoon session in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Thursday saw commotion during the Question Hour, when Congress MLA and former minister Umesh Patel raised a pointed query to agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam, about the availability and distribution of DAP fertilizer. Patel asked him to clarify the total demand, supply status, and the proportion allocated to cooperative societies versus private dealers. Patel alleged that the state was facing an acute shortage and that less than 50 percent of the targeted supply had been made available to farmers so far. Responding to the concerns, Minister Ramvichar Netam acknowledged the shortfall, stating that for the current 2025 Kharif season, the Centre had set a target of 3.10 lakh metric tonnes of DAP for Chhattisgarh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo "Of the 2.19 lakh metric tonnes approved by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers between April and June, only 1.08 lakh metric tonnes had been received till June 30. Including the carryover stock of 40,746 metric tonnes from the previous Rabi season, the state had stored a total of 1.48 lakh metric tonnes so far," he said. The minister conceded that the supply was insufficient and said the state was promoting the use of alternative phosphatic fertilizers and nano DAP to mitigate the impact on farmers. He added that continuous coordination was underway with the central government and fertilizer suppliers to expedite delivery. Netam informed the House that an additional 18,885 metric tonnes of DAP would be supplied by July 20, with 718 metric tonnes arriving on Thursday itself in Kharsia — Umesh Patel's constituency. He further clarified that 64 percent of the available DAP had been distributed through cooperative societies and 36 percent through private dealers. However, Congress legislators including Bhupesh Baghel and others, accused the government of favouring the private sector and enabling black marketing. They alleged that shopkeepers were selling DAP at inflated prices due to inadequate supply in cooperatives, leaving farmers in distress. 'Modi's Name Sparks Fire': Protest Escalates, Congress Enters Well The situation intensified when Minister Netam invoked the Prime Minister's name while defending supply challenges. Congress legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, former CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Umesh Patel, accused the government of deflecting responsibility and began sloganeering: "DAP must be supplied to farmers," "Anti-farmer government won't be tolerated," "Agriculture Minister must resign. " Unsatisfied with the minister's response, the Congress MLAs erupted in protest, raising slogans and trooping into the well of the House. The resulting chaos forced Speaker Dr Raman Singh to adjourn the proceedings for five minutes. When the House resumed, the Congress members continued their protest and refused to return to their seats, they carried out a sit-in protest and continued raising slogans despite that the Question Hour continued. This prompted Speaker Raman Singh to announce their suspension. Despite the Speaker's repeated appeals, the suspended MLAs remained in the well and continued sloganeering, further disrupting the proceedings. Expressing his displeasure, the Speaker said, "This kind of behaviour has no place in a parliamentary democracy. This is a direct attack on the sanctity of parliamentary traditions. Despite three appeals, the Members continued to disrupt proceedings. Such behaviour has never been seen in this House in the past 25 year. Despite multiple requests, the members not only violated the House's decorum but disregarded its long-standing traditions. I am deeply pained by their actions." All 30 protesting Congress MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the day. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap alleged that former CM Bhupesh Baghel incited his party members to disrupt the House and accused the Congress of intentionally derailing the session for political gains.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
30 Congress MLAs suspended for a day amid uproar over DAP fertilizer shortage in Chhattisgarh Assembly
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Thursday as 30 Congress MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel , were suspended for the day following a ruckus over the shortage of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertilizer in the state. The suspension came after the Opposition MLAs trooped into the well of the House and disrupted proceedings, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House twice. The fourth day of the monsoon session in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Thursday saw commotion during the Question Hour, when Congress MLA and former minister Umesh Patel raised a pointed query to agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam, about the availability and distribution of DAP fertilizer. Patel asked him to clarify the total demand, supply status, and the proportion allocated to cooperative societies versus private dealers. Patel alleged that the state was facing an acute shortage and that less than 50 percent of the targeted supply had been made available to farmers so far. Responding to the concerns, Minister Ramvichar Netam acknowledged the shortfall, stating that for the current 2025 Kharif season, the Centre had set a target of 3.10 lakh metric tonnes of DAP for Chhattisgarh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo 'Of the 2.19 lakh metric tonnes approved by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers between April and June, only 1.08 lakh metric tonnes had been received till June 30. Including the carryover stock of 40,746 metric tonnes from the previous Rabi season, the state had stored a total of 1.48 lakh metric tonnes so far,' he said. The minister conceded that the supply was insufficient and said the state was promoting the use of alternative phosphatic fertilizers and nano DAP to mitigate the impact on farmers. He added that continuous coordination was underway with the central government and fertilizer suppliers to expedite delivery. Netam informed the House that an additional 18,885 metric tonnes of DAP would be supplied by July 20, with 718 metric tonnes arriving on Thursday itself in Kharsia — Umesh Patel's constituency. He further clarified that 64 percent of the available DAP had been distributed through cooperative societies and 36 percent through private dealers. However, Congress legislators including Bhupesh Baghel and others, accused the government of favouring the private sector and enabling black marketing. They alleged that shopkeepers were selling DAP at inflated prices due to inadequate supply in cooperatives, leaving farmers in distress. 'Modi's Name Sparks Fire': Protest Escalates, Congress Enters Well The situation intensified when Minister Netam invoked the Prime Minister's name while defending supply challenges. Congress legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, former CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Umesh Patel, accused the government of deflecting responsibility and began sloganeering: 'DAP must be supplied to farmers,' 'Anti-farmer government won't be tolerated,' 'Agriculture Minister must resign.' Unsatisfied with the minister's response, the Congress MLAs erupted in protest, raising slogans and trooping into the well of the House. The resulting chaos forced Speaker Dr Raman Singh to adjourn the proceedings for five minutes. When the House resumed, the Congress members continued their protest and refused to return to their seats, they carried out a sit-in protest and continued raising slogans despite that the Question Hour continued. This prompted Speaker Raman Singh to announce their suspension. Despite the Speaker's repeated appeals, the suspended MLAs remained in the well and continued sloganeering, further disrupting the proceedings. Expressing his displeasure, the Speaker said, "This kind of behaviour has no place in a parliamentary democracy. This is a direct attack on the sanctity of parliamentary traditions. Despite three appeals, the Members continued to disrupt proceedings. Such behaviour has never been seen in this House in the past 25 year. Despite multiple requests, the members not only violated the House's decorum but disregarded its long-standing traditions. I am deeply pained by their actions." All 30 protesting Congress MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the day. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap alleged that former CM Bhupesh Baghel incited his party members to disrupt the House and accused the Congress of intentionally derailing the session for political gains.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Power tariff tensions in Chhattisgarh Assembly, Hike calls for adjournment motion, CM Sai cites relief measures
RAIPUR: The third day of the Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly witnessed intense debate and sharp exchanges as the Opposition Congress moved an adjournment motion over the recent hike in electricity tariffs. Leader of Opposition Dr Charandas Mahant led the charge, terming the hike as burdensome and unjustified, while Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai defended the increase, calling it one of the lowest in the country and necessary for the state's energy goals. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mahant criticized the government's 'anti-people' decision to raise tariffs across all consumer categories, including domestic users, farmers, and small businesses. He reminded the House that the recent hike was the second tariff increase in just 20 months since the Sai-led government came to power. 'Nearly six million consumers have been affected. Even farmers are now paying more per unit than industrial units. What kind of govt's priority is this?' Mahant questioned. The July 11 decision by the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) allowed the hike based on a petition from the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL). While the Commission is a statutory body that takes decisions post public hearing, the Opposition alleged that the process lacked transparency and scrutiny. Mahant also pointed to what he described as alarming mismanagement in the power sector. 'Over Rs 8,000 crore in dues are unpaid, Rs 2,500 crore by government departments and Rs 5,500 crore in subsidies. To make up for this, common citizens are being punished with higher bills,' he said. He also cited repeated fire incidents at power department godowns in Raigarh, Gudhiyari in Raipur, and Bhilai-3 within the last 20 months, calling them indicators of systemic negligence. 'Even under the RDS scheme, Rs 3,560 crore was sanctioned by the Centre. But if the government doesn't pay its share, the 60% grant will be converted into debt. This is how you plan to develop Chhattisgarh?' he asked. Adding to his criticism, Mahant said that power cuts, low voltage, and erratic supply were frequent, even at ministerial residences. 'What are common citizens supposed to expect?' he asked. CM Responds: 'Hike Minimal, Farmers Protected, Industry Boosted' Responding to the notice of adjournment motion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai asserted that the hike was modest and transparent. 'Only a 1.89% rise has been approved for 2025–26. That's among the lowest in the country. For farmers, the 50 paise per unit increase will have zero impact as their bills are already subsidized and paid in advance by the government,' Sai clarified. He added that domestic consumers will see a mere 10 to 20 paise rise per unit, and that rates for energy-intensive industries, including mini steel plants and rolling mills, have been reduced to boost the manufacturing sector. Highlighting infrastructure development, Sai announced that a Rs 15,800 crore project for a 1320 MW power plant in Korba is underway. 'This will make Chhattisgarh power-surplus and ensure reliable supply,' he said. The CM also shared updates on ongoing improvements in supply and efficiency. 'Urban areas are receiving 23.85 hours of electricity per day, rural areas 23.45 hours, and farm feeders 18 hours a day. We have reduced technical and commercial losses from 23.14% to 13.79%, a significant achievement,' he said. He further pointed to over Rs 9,400 crore being invested through a Capital Investment Plan for transmission, distribution, and generation upgrades. Additionally, MoUs worth over Rs 3 lakh crore have been signed to generate employment and enhance energy infrastructure. CM Sai promoted solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, offering households up to Rs 1.09 lakh in combined state and central subsidies for rooftop solar systems. 'We are empowering citizens to become self-reliant energy producers,' he said. Speaker Raman Singh informed the House that adjournment notices were received from 33 members. However, after the CM's assurance and detailed presentation, he disallowed the notice for motion. In a rare move, Leader of Opposition Dr. Mahant thanked the Chief Minister, saying, 'At least it seems the government is taking the matter seriously and CM is looking into it, hence, I am thankful to him.'
