Opp stages walkout over FCS graft case

Opposition Congress continued with its demand for adjournment motion on Food and Civil Supplies (FCS) Department graft case in the Chhattisgarh Assembly and staged a walkout on Thursday when Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal did not offer permission for a discussion in the House. 

Immediately after the question hour, Congress member Satyanarayan Sharma raised the issue of corruption in Food and Civil Supplies Department and said that new facts and developments in the issue warrant for immediate discussion in the House.  The Government should give reply on the issue with new developments, he said. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Chandrakar said that discussion has been held over the issue and as per rules, the issue can’t be taken up for discussion. 

Congress member Bhupesh Baghel stated that discussion has been held but new facts have come to the fore due to which it needs to be discussed in the House. 

Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal said that he has received notice for adjournment motion from Bhupesh Baghel and other members. 

“According to the rules, any information until and unless presented to the Speaker and no decision is taken on it, it should not be publicized.  Members should avoid this,” said Agrawal. 

As far as notice for adjournment motion is concerned, the issue is quite similar to that discussed earlier in the House. Only addition in the notice is about a sting operation besides allegation on officers of the Government in context with the sting operation. Therefore, I do not find the issue admissible under rules and reject the adjournment motion notice, the Speaker said. Congress members raised objection to this and shouted slogans against the Government and staged a walkout.  The House continued with its business in absence of the Opposition.