What Happened During the Chhattisgarh Assembly Session Over Jal Jeevan Mission?

Raipur, July 15 (NationPress) The second day of the monsoon session in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly was characterized by intense debates, frequent interruptions, and ultimately a walkout by members of the opposition regarding concerns over the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel spearheaded the discussions during Question Hour, accusing the current government of failing to implement the centrally funded drinking water initiative.

At the start of the proceedings, Baghel sought accountability for the Jal Jeevan Mission's progress, stating that only 57 percent of the target had been reached and highlighting an expenditure of Rs 3,500 crore under what he termed the “double engine government.”

In response, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for the relevant department Arun Sao claimed that the government had successfully provided 10 lakh tap water connections within just seven months.

This assertion was quickly challenged by opposition members, who accused the minister of presenting deceptive statistics. Frustrated by the answers and citing discrepancies in the scheme’s execution, they decided to walk out of the assembly.

The atmosphere became increasingly charged, prompting Speaker Raman Singh to call for order, urging both sides to maintain decorum, as obstructing Assembly proceedings conveyed a negative message nationwide.

The ongoing disruptions during the session reflected a significant divide over the delivery goals and infrastructure planning related to the water mission.

In a separate discussion, inquiries were made regarding the use of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. BJP MLA Kiran Singhdev sought clarification on how an allocation of Rs 21 crore had been utilized, particularly with reference to Rs 7.44 crore reportedly spent on specific initiatives.

Industry Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan responded that comprehensive accounts had been submitted but faced further scrutiny from Singhdev, who claimed that in Bastar district, no funds had been distributed for the past two years, and pre-approved projects were left unexecuted.

The debate escalated when Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant inquired whether 2 percent of company profits was consistently allocated to CSR obligations. The Industry Minister clarified that an amount representing 2 percent of income is spent on CSR initiatives over a span of three years.

Mahant further insisted on a formal investigation into the flow of CSR funds across different administrations, advocating for transparency in development expenditures and project execution.

The events in Raipur underscored the friction between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress regarding infrastructure delivery and fund management. With water access and district-level development under the microscope, the monsoon session is poised for further political confrontations and scrutiny of policies in the upcoming days.