Cong alleges Govt not serious over tribal issues, MlAs walk out

Accusing the State Government of not being serious over issues related to tribals, the Opposition Congress members staged walkout in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Tuesday. Congress member Deepak Baij raised the issue during the question hour. In absence of Tribal Welfare Minister Kedar Kashyap, the reply was given by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Chandrakar in the House.

Baij asked the Minister if any Project Committee has been formed for the Jagdalpur Project. How much amount was sanctioned for Jagdalpur Project for the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 and how much fund is left, he asked. In his reply, the Minister informed that `949.39 lakh was allocated in 2013-14 and `545.558 lakh in 2014-15. 

Chandrakar informed that the Project Execution Committee has been formed and is headed by the Collector while officers of various departments are the members. The Congress members raised objection why the people’s representatives have not been included in the Committee.  Chandrakar said that the people’s representatives will be the members of the Advisory Committee. leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo alleged that the Government is not serious over issues related to tribal people and asked the Minister whether the Committee will be formed by April 1. Chandrakar replied that the members will be informed when the Committee is formed. Dissatisfied by the reply of the Minister, the Congress members staged walkout.