Budget has nothing for common man: Tekam

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The government’s budget for 2010-11 has nothing for common man. A number of sectors including education, health and agriculture have been ignored which will negatively impact the development of the state. The words were expressed by Congress MLA Premsai Singh Tekam in Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday during the discussion on budget.

Tekam alleged that the development works in the state had decelerated in the state owing to corruption prevailed in the system. He pointed out that the roads constructed in Sarguja in the recent past were in pathetic condition while a number of school buildings in the region were not being constructed timely. He also criticised the government for not disbursing payment to the workers engaged under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme across the state.

Congress MLA Paresh Bagbahra questioned government’s claims about rapid development and indicated that the per capital income of the state is Rs 29,760 while India is Rs 33,283. Terming government’s industrial policies weak, he further said, “In spite of having abundant iron in the state, the government has failed to attract big investors like Laxmi Niwas Mittal who had opted to set up steel plant in Karnataka.”

Congress MLA TS Singhdeo questioned from the government that how would it reform the education sector when about 85% children of government teachers are studying in private schools. He also emphasised in making English language a mandatory part in Hindi medium schools for the all-round development of students. “English is a global language and our children should know it to compete confidently with others,” he said. “The government of West Bengal had removed English language from school courses for about 35 years to promote Bangla but eventually it has now inducted it again and is even taking help of British Council to create awareness about the language,” he added.

Congress MLA Agni Chandrakar said that the government had deceived farmers by not including provision of Rs 270 bonus to them according to its promise. He also felt that the government had ignored health sector. “We lack health infrastructure in rural as well as urban areas. People are unaware about health facilities in government hospitals due to which they prefer private ones,” he said.

Congress MLA Ram Dayal Uike pointed towards scarce teaching staff in schools located in rural areas, especially in tribal belts. He was surprised that the government had not made any provision to control rising pollution in the state and to launch plantation drives for environmental balance.

 RMC issues second list of 11 major defaulters of zone 8

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The RMC has issued the second list of 11 major defaulter of Zone 8. The RMC Commissioner Om Prakash Choudhary has asked deputy Commissioner (Revenue) GS Kshatriya to attach the properties of the defaulters under section 175 of Municipal Act.

Choudhary has appealed from the defaulters of all the zones to promptly pay their dues and get receipt to avoid any action against them.

The second list of major defaulter comprises the names of – Rajesh Soni – Rs 15,111, Anil Yohanna – Rs 12, 417, Vinod Kumar Ingle – Rs 15,606, Sukalu Ram – Rs 16,039, Satyaprakash Gupta – Rs 20,956, Jagdish Prasad Gupta – Rs 33,875, Sarnam Singh – Rs 12,449, Santosh Singh – Rs 11,449, Ram Singh – Rs 13,081 and Kuldeep Singh – Rs 12,449.

RMC imposes Rs 2100 fine on shopkeepers

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The RMC on Tuesday imposed Rs 2100 fine on different shopkeepers for encroaching road for their business purpose. The municipal officials inspected a number of busy commercial areas today including Malviya Road, from Jaistambh Chowk to Tatya Para Chowk, from Kankali Para Chowk to Kotwali Chowk and fined some of the shopkeepers while cautioned other not the encroach public place in future.

Training camp

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The RMC’s seven-day yoga training camp begin from Tuesday at Sports Complex. The municipal Commissioner Om Prakash Choudhary informed that the training is being imparted by the yoga experts from 6.30 am to 7 30 am every morning. The camp is useful for physical and mental fitness of every individual, said Choudhary. He has appealed from all the municipal officials and employees to attend the yoga camp to take its benefit.

Ward 32 needs basic facilities

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The RMC Speaker Sanjay Shrivastava on Tuesday inspected Shaheed Veernarayan Singh ward (ward 32) along with municipal officials and was severely upset with the number of civic problems existing in the area. He immediately asked the officials to construct one nullah for proper drainage near the railway tracks and to extend water pipelines in two places to ensure adequate supply of water for the local residents. He further instructed officials to construct sulabh toilets in Meera Nagar and Bhola Nagar. He also asked the officials to provide public taps in some of the places and to ensure proper sanitary arrangement in the ward.

Rural electrification

Raipur, February 23, 2010

Chief Minister Raman Singh has informed that the government has completed electrification work in about 137 majra tolas of 116 villages in Durg district till December 31, 2009 under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). Singh’s information came in Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday while he was answering to a question of BJP MLA Dalyaldas Baghel. Singh further informed that the electrification of 1193 villages in Durg district is still pending under RGGVY.

Anti-social elements near liquor shop creating nuisance in Shankar Nagar

RMC Speaker wants liquor shop to be shifted elsewhere

Raipur, February 23, 2010

The liquor shop at Shankar Nagar’s main road is gradually becoming a meeting point for anti-social elements owing to which the local residents, especially girls are facing problem. Considering this situation the RMC Speaker Sanjay Shrivastava has written a letter to the District Excise Officer (DEO) to shift the liquor shop elsewhere.

Dr Anand Dubey from Vidya Hospital and Kidney Centre in the locality informed Shrivastava that the liquor shop is located exactly opposite to his hospital. Every evening, the drunkards and anti-social elements gather at the shop and start creating nuisance, Dubey informed. The locality is surrounded by schools and colleges and usually the passers-by and students become victim of these criminals, said Dubey. Sometimes, they also enter into the hospital in boozed state and create problem for patients, he added.

Kedar: Tribal dept spent Rs 1.74 cr in two years

To purchase various items for hostels, ashrams, schools

Raipur, February 23, 2010

Tribal Development Minister Kedar Kashyap on Tuesday informed in the Vidhan Sabha that the tribal department has spent Rs 1,74,44,635 in purchasing different items for hostels, ashrams and schools operated by the department in Raipur district in the two financial years, i.e. in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Kashyap was answering to the question of Congress MLA Shivkumar Daharia who had sought detailed information about the purchase done by the department in its hostels, ashrams and schools in Raipur district.

Kashyap informed that in 2008-09, the department purchased several items worth Rs 1,49,79,393 from different firms like Goyal Industries Corporation, Royal Steel Industries, Drolia Enterprises, Shree Ji Udyog, Jyoti Industries, Bajaj Company (Alid Automation / Electronic Traders), Ambika Sales, Anand Sales and Surana Stores. Of this amount, Rs 5,98,725 was spent in buying kitchen utensils and other relevant items for mid-day meals in middle schools while Rs 30,74,043 was spent in purchasing furniture for middle and higher secondary schools.

Similarly, in the current fiscal, the department has spent Rs 24,65,242 in purchasing items from different companies like Jinchandra Enterprises, Laxmi Industries, Drolia Enterprises, Dwivedi Welding Febricators Work, Bajaj Company, Anand sales and Parth Udyog, Kashyap informed. Of this amount, Rs 6,07,683 was spent in buying furniture and other items for high schools.