The Opposition Congress members staged a walkout in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Tuesday after being dissatisfied by the Minister’s reply to a question over details sought on submergence of areas in the State due to construction of Polavaram dam in Andhra Pradesh.
During the question hour, Congress member Kawasi lakhma asked the Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal about the number of villages and forest area of Chhattisgarh which will come under submergence area of the dam. Where will these affected people be rehabilitated by the Government, he asked.
The Minister replied that a satellite survey has been conducted by Andhra Pradesh Government and according to the survey, at 150 feet submergence level, no forest land will be affected. At submergence level, 177 feet with back water of flood, about 201.296 hectares of forest land will be affected, he said
Agrawal said that ground survey has not been done hence number of villages to be affected cannot be known. lakhma said that people of Dorla tribe live in the submergence area and they are not being permitted to construct houses. Besides this, permission is also being denied for construction of Government buildings in the area which comes under Sukma district.
The Congress member once again asked about number of villages to come under submergence area. Agrawal clarified that this can be known only after the ground survey is completed.
leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo asked if the Government will ensure that not a single village is affected by the dam. Is there any restriction laid by the Government on construction activity in the area, he asked.
Agrawal said that no order is being issued regarding restriction on constructions in the area. If any villages or tribal or forest area is affected, the Government will provide support.
Singhdeo raised objection on the reply and said that previously it was informed that a number of villages are coming under submergence area and now it is being said that it is yet not known. Congress members expressed dissatisfaction over the reply and staged a walkout.