Sunday, February 24, 2013

Budget 2013-2014 - Highlights


Raipur, February 23, 2013

CM entered assembly House with bamboo-made briefcase in which budget 2013-14 was kept. The briefcase was made by renowned craftsman Lakhan Devnath from bamboo art centre of Ship Gram in Narayanpur.

CM said antyodaya had been basic mantra of ruling party from the beginning.

CM said government prioritised integrated budget this time.

The BJP ministers and MLAs sloganeered ‘jai jawan jai kisan’ when CM announced provision of Rs 270 paddy bonus for farmers in budget 2013-14.

Congress MLA Tamradhwaj Sahu interrupted CM and asked – “You have announced Rs 270 bonus for only one year, what about next five years?” The CM replied – “If you say so, we will disburse Rs 270 bonus for next five years too.”

CM said Chhattisgarh Food Security Act 2012 is first of its kind in India. This will benefit 42 lakh poor families.

When CM announced to distribute sarees to 12 lakh female tendu leaves collectors, Congress legislator Pratima Chandrakar cautioned him to reconsider his decision before taking such step and reminded him that 3000 sarees printed with lotus were seized during vaishalinagar assembly bypolls.

Congress legislator Dr Haridas Bhardwaj asked CM, “Where is your brahmastra? Neither you announced merger of Shikshakarmis, nor sixth payscale and pension benefits for them.”

Congress MLAs Dharamjeet Singh and Dr Shiv Kumar Daharia also obstructed CM’s budgetary speech a couple of times.

The Speaker’s galleries were packed when CM was presenting the budget. The BJP organisational secretary Rampratap Singh, former Rajnandgaon MP Pradeep Gandhi, state BJP general secretary Shivratan Sharma, state VHP president Ramesh Modi, chairman minorities commission Dilip Singh Hora and PCC general secretary Ramesh Warlyani.

PCC president Nandkumar Patel was seen instructing state Congress general secretary Ramesh Warlyani during CM’s budgetary speech.




What Raipur gets in budget..

Agri business department to be opened in Raipur Agriculture College from next academic session

Plant tissue culture laboratory to be established on public-private partnership model

Veterinary hospital in Gokul Nagar

Community college o be established in Raipur girls’ polytechnic

100-bed hospital building at Mana

Girls’ hostel building at Raipur medical college

Expansion of Raipur medical college in Dau Kalyan Singh Bhawan

Provision in budget to develop Raipur as slum-free city under Rajeev Awas Yojna

Sports academy

State-level traffic awareness and training academy to be opened in Chandkhuri






Budget hopeless, anti-people: Congress


Raipur, February 23, 2013

Congress has termed budget 2013-2014 as hopeless and anti-people. “The government has not given relief to common man. It has deceived farmers. It has also not kept its promise made to Shikshakarmis and employees,” said state Congress president Nandkumar Patel and CLP leader Ravindra Choubey on Saturday.

“Chief minister Raman Singh’s so-called brahmastra has failed. Now, people’s brahmastra will remove his party from power in upcoming assembly polls,” they added.

They said it was persistent movements of Congress in farmers’ favour that compelled the CM to announce Rs 270 paddy bonus for one year. However, they said, the government betrayed farmers by not making provision of last four years’ pending bonus.

They said the CM’s information regarding rise in per capital income and number of BPL families was contradictory. The CM, in his budgetary speech, had informed that state’s per capita income had increased from Rs 46743 (2011-12) to 52689 (2012-13) and number of BPL families increased from 37 lakh to 42 lakh. “How come the government claims of development if 56% of state’s population lives below poverty line,” they asked.

They said the state was regressing as was evident from its estimated growth rate that came down to 8.57% (2012-13) from 11.49% (2009-10).

They said the government had no moral right to remain in power for it spent only 39% of its annual budget in past nine months.

“The annual spending of mining department is 4.6%, energy department – 24.70%, PWD – 41.58% and urban administration department – 26.41%. These figures are clear indicators that the government lost control over bureaucrats and it lacks work-plan and financial management,” they added.

They slammed the government for not reducing value added tax (VAT) on petroleum products and domestic LPG cylinders. “It slashed VAT on diesel used in industries from 25% to 14%, but neither it cut down VAT on petroleum products nor gave subsidy on domes gas cylinders,” they pointed.



Chhattisgarh Budget 2013-14

1.        Presenting the budget estimate of Rs. 44,169 cr. for the fiscal 2013-14, Dr. Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, who is also in-charge of the Finance portfolio, stressed on "inclusive growth" as the overriding theme and emphasized the commitment of his government to the development of farmers, women and children, youth and marginalized sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, unorganized labour and the poor.


2.     Implementation of Food Security Act is the main attraction of this budget. It aims at guaranteeing food entitlement to 42 lakh poor families. They will be provided rice at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 1 and Rs. 2 per Kg. and pulses (gram) at Rs. 5 per Kg.. This would cost the state exchequer a whopping Rs. 2,000 crore annually. Dr. Singh justified the Food Security Scheme on the ground that it is the primary duty of any government to provide food security to the needy.

3.     For the Second time, a separate agriculture budget was presented with focus on farmers'  well being and increasing productivity. The total outlay of Rs. 8,542 crore for the agriculture and allied sector amounts to 19 per cent of the total budget and a phenomenal growth of  37 per cent over last year. The outlay includes Rs.1,656 crore  for agriculture, Rs. 340 crore for veterinary, Rs.2,010 crore for irrigation, Rs. 386 crore for subsidy towards agricultural pumps and Rs. 3,102 crore for paddy procurement. Dr. Singh announced bonus of Rs.270 per quintal for paddy procured during Kharif 2012. With more than 70 lakh MT of paddy procured during the season, approximately Rs. 1,900 crore  would be disbursed among the farmers. Dr. Singh argued that this would bring a much needed relief to the farmers keeping in view the unprecedented increase in the cost of inputs, particularly chemical fertilizer. 


4.     Other highlights of agri-budget include, among others :
  • increased provision for state-sponsored micro-irrigation scheme
  • incentive scheme for crop diversification and adoption of SRI in paddy
  • organic farming on mission mode
  • increase in subsidy for paddy transplanters and combined harvesters
  • free agriculture implement kit to farm labourers
  • free seed and fertilizer kit to forest dwellers
  • exemption of stamp duty on agriculture loan documents
  • interest subvention on bank loans to the Agri-producer companies
  • opening of six new agricultural colleges
  • loans for animal husbandry sector at the subsidized rate of 3 per cent

5.     In the education sector due importance has been given to the students belonging to SC/STs and the girl child. The initiatives include :
  • Scholarship rates for SC/ST students have been doubled
  • 77 new hostels and 20 Ashram Schools will be opened
  • 100 middle and 250 high schools will be upgraded
  • All girls hostels will be provided with buildings

6.     The health sector initiatives include :
  • Mobile Medical Units for all the 85 scheduled blocks
  • free generic medicine for all patients in government hospitals
  • establishment of a sickle cell institute
  • new medical college at Raipur
  • pension scheme for ASHA workers
7.     The budget has addressed the critical issue of anemia among women and malnutrition among children. The highlights include : 
  • increase in outlay by 33 per cent
  • revised norms for supplementary nutrition to be implemented in all the blocks
  • a special scheme called "Phulwari" to be implemented with the help of rural mothers for providing hot-cooked meal to children below 3 years of age
  • remuneration to the Anganwadi workers and helpers to be increased from Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000 and Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 respectively
  • interest subvention on bank loans to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) who will be provided loans at the nominal rate of 3 per cent
8.     The share of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) in the profit out of sale of timber and bamboo has been increased from 15 per cent to 20 per cent and 100 per cent respectively.

9.     The State government has accepted the interim recommendation of State Finance Commission and the share of Local Bodies in the divisible pool State's Net Tax Revenue has been increased from 6 to 8 per cent. The Panchayats in the Scheduled Tribal box will be given special allocation of 2 lakh each.

10.   In the infrastructure sector, the  highlights include :
  • outlay has been increased by 18 per cent in the road sector
  • 1,791 kilometers length of State highways and Major District Roads will be upgraded to double-lane roads
  • allocation of Rs.750 crore under " Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Vikas Yojana" for connectivity of hamlets not covered under PMGSY
11.   Dr. Singh announced several pro-poor initiatives which include :
  • ceiling for free electricity consumption for BPL consumers has been increased from 30 units to 40 units per month per consumer to benefit 14 lakh BPL families and costing nearly Rs. 45 crore to the state exchequer
  • a pension scheme for the unorganised workers has been introduced
12.   The following new initiatives are aimed at employment generation and skill enhancement for youth :
  • A new scheme called " Vivekanand Yuva Protsahan Yojana" will be launched to develop leadership skills among youth.
  • Unemployment allowance to educated youth to be increased from Rs.500 to Rs.1,000 per month.
  • Seven new ITIs and 3 polytechnics to be opened
13.   Dr. Singh announced several tax cuts in VAT and entry tax :
  • Paddy transplanter to be made tax-free
  • VAT on Mobile handsets costing upto Rs.3,000 to be reduced from 14 to 5 percent
  • VAT on induction cooker, LED bulb and light, computer spare parts, flavoured milk, food colour to be reduced from 14 to 5 per cent
  • Entry tax on soybean to be waived
  • VAT on medical oxygen reduced from 14 to 5 per cent
  • composition fee on roads contract reduced from 2 to 1 per cent
14.   Besides, for the ailing iron and steel sector the tax sops include :
  • VAT on TMT steel bars reduced from 5 to 3 per cent
  • VAT on Light Diesel Oil reduced from 25 to 14 per cent
  • Entry tax on iron ore and pig iron and steel scrap purchased from outside the state reduced from 1 to 0.5 per cent
  • Entry tax on iron ore pellet reduced from 1 to 0.5 per cent
  • Entry tax on furnace oil purchased from outside the state reduced from 10 to 5 per cent
15.   Proposals for rationalization of Stamp duty include :
  • complete waiver of stamp duty on mortgage documents of agriculture loan
  • waiver of stamp duty on education loan documents
  • one per cent reduction in stamp duty on purchase/sale of urban land from 7.25 to 6.25 per cent

16.   Budget 2013-14 at a glance
(Rs. in crore)
Sl. No.
Items
2012-13 (Revised Estimate)
2013-14 (Budget Estimate)
% Deviation
1.
Total receipts
36,913
43,977
19

a) State's own revenue
18,009
21,372
19

b) Central receipts
14,317
16,072
12

c) Recovery of loans
1,576
1,579
0.2

d) loan
3,011
4,953
65
2.
Total Expenditure
38,493
44,169
15
3.
Budget deficit (a+b)
a) current year deficit
b)carry over deficit
1,485
1,580
-95
1,677
192
1,485
13
-88
1673
4.
Fiscal deficit
= 2-(1a+1b+1c)
4,590
5,145
12

16.1.   With an estimated growth of 16 per cent in tax and 25 per cent in non- tax revenue, the revenue surplus is estimated at Rs.2,429 crore which will be used for capital expenditure. The estimated expenditure is 15 per cent higher than the current year’s revised estimate.

16.2.   The net budget deficit stands at Rs.192 crore and taking into account the cumulative deficit, the budget deficit for 2013-14 is estimated at Rs.1,678 crore. Gross Fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs.5,145 crore which is 3 per cent of the GSDP, limit set under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.

16.3.  With 9 per cent increase in plan expenditure, the total plan outlay estimated at Rs.24,699 crore  is 56 per cent of total budget outlay. Similarly, the outlay on capital expenditure of Rs. 7,230 crore is 15 per cent higher than the current year's provision. The budget allocates 35 per cent of the total plan expenditure for tribal sub-plan and 11 per cent for the scheduled caste sub-plan area.

16.4.   The state plan outlay of 22,491 crore  is 8 per cent higher than current year's allocation. 86 per cent of state plan is funded from state's own resources.

16.5.   The outlay for the social sector constitutes 41 per cent, economic sector 41 per cent and general services 18 per cent of total expenditure. Social sector outlay includes 12 per cent for education, 4 per cent for health, 8 per cent for SC/ST welfare and 1.3 per cent for drinking water.


BJP MLA withdraws resolution to ban agri land sale to outsiders


CM assures to bring bill on it in next assembly session

Raipur, February 22, 2013

BJP MLA Devji Bhai Patel withdrew non-governmental resolution to ban sale of agricultural lands to outsiders after tabling it in state assembly on Friday. Patel withdrew the resolution on chief minister Raman Singh’s assurance that the government would bring bill on it in next Vidhan Sabha session. The CM said the government would first study the agricultural land sale prohibitory laws of other states before tabling the bill. For this, he said, a three-member committee of ministers will be constituted soon.

Earlier, tabling the non-governmental resolution, Patel said the government should make strict law like Himachal Pradesh to protect agricultural lands of Chhattisgarh.

He said the outsiders had purchased large tracts of state’s farm lands near roadsides merely for investment purpose.


Do not expect too much from industries

Participating in the debate, Congress MLA Dharamjeet Singh said the government was responsible for reduction in 10 lakh acres of agriculture lands.

He said land touts were active in state to acquire farm lands for industrialists. “The state will have to face negative repercussions of rapid and disorganised industrialisation. The government should not expect too much from industries as they will only give pollution and diseases,” he added.

He pointed that Punjab and Haryana do not have large-scale industries but economically the two states were much better than Chhattisgarh. He said the government should rather promote agriculture-based industries taking cue from Punjab and Haryana.

He said if farmers from Haryana could do farming on non-agricultural lands near Bemetara then the state agriculture department too could demonstrate advanced farm techniques in every block.

Asking the government to stop business of industrialisation, he said it lacked the commitment to pass the resolution.


Agri land owners becoming labourers

Leader of opposition Ravindra Choubey said the owners of agricultural lands were becoming labourers after selling their lands. He said the agricultural lands have shrunk by 4% and forest lands by 3% due to industrialisation.

“Why government was in haste for industrialisation? Why it signed 49 MoUs for power plants abruptly? Unfortunately, whenever the opposition raise the matter of industrialisation, the entire Mantralaya rushes to counter out argument,” he said.

The debate was participated by MLAs Narayan Chandel, Haridas Bhardwaj, Kheduram Sahu, Agni Chandrakar, Krishnamurthy Bandhi, TS Singhdeo and Saurabh Singh.



Resolution to setup DD centres in different parts of state passed

The state assembly unanimously passed amended non-governmental resolution to establish Doordarshan (DD) centres in different parts of the state on Friday.

The resolution was tabled in Congress MLA Haridas Bhardwaj who sought establishment of DD centre in Saraipali. The chief minister Raman Singh urged Bhardwaj to amend the resolution and broaden it with demand to setup DD centres in different parts of the state including Sarguja.

Bhardwaj accepted the amendment proposal and the house passed the resolution.

Akbar slams govt on deaddiction, MNREGA


Says linking Gandhi with liquor a grave crime

Dr Renu Jogi gheraoes ruling party on heath services

During 5th day of state assembly’s budget session

Raipur, February 22, 2013

Congress MLA Mohammad Akbar has lashed at government for linking Mahatma Gandhi’s name with deaddiction drive. “It is an irony that Chhattisgarh Beverage Corporation has made Gandhi as brand ambassador of its deaddiction drive. This is grave crime. The government should take stern action against those who did this job,” said Akbar while participating in debate over motion of thanks moved by ruling party to express gratitude to Governor’s address during budget session of state assembly on Friday.

Akbar also termed constitution of Bharat Mata Vahini (BMV) under its deaddiction campaign. He said liquor consumption and revenue surged in those districts where the government formed BMVs.

He said the government’s claims in Governor’s address that it has given several lakh days of employment to MNREGA labourers were false. “In fact, the government had spent only 48% of MNREGA fund while only 2% labourers have got 100 days of job,” he said.

He expressed his surprise that the government always achieves its paddy procurement target. “The crop area has shrunk in the state due to industrialisation, but the government accomplishes paddy procurement target,” he said.

“The government can even achieve target of procuring 100 lakh tonne paddy. Of course, it will reach this mark with the help of middlemen,” he added.

Indicating towards memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed by the government with Tata and Essar, he said it was expected that doors of development would open in Bastar through such pacts, although neither of the two established their industrial units in the tribal region.

He said the roadshows done by chief minister Raman Singh to attract investors to participate in state’s global investors’ meet during Rajyotsav 2012 was against the dignity of his post.

He alleged that the government engaged protocol officers to welcome those investors who were facing grave charges. “BALCO’s Anil Agrawal is alleged of excavating 2.88 lakh MT bauxite illegally. Similarly, the Essar faces charges of giving protection money to naxals,” he pointed.


Health centres lack basic infra

Congress legislator Dr Renu Jogi said community health centres of state were disorganised and lack basic infrastructure. She said over half of the posts in health centres were still vacant.

Pointing that Vedanta group had already delayed its cancer hospital project in Naya Raipur by 8-10 years despite getting lands from the government, she said it was high time the ruling party should open cancer units in Raipur, Bilaspur and other places of state.

She said the infrastructure in Bilaspur and Jagdalpur medical colleges should be upgraded according to norms of medical council of India (MCI).



Cong MLAs attack govt on different issues


Dharamjeet Singh says he is against setting up of HC benches

Pratima Chandrakar raises farmers’ problems

Agni Chandrakar points towards power cuts in rural pockets

Bhajan Singh Nirankari demands blanket ban on liquor sale

During 4th day of state assembly’s budget session  

Raipur, February 21, 2013

Congress MLAs on Thursday hit the government on various issues including law and order, farmers’ problems, power cuts, liquor sale, etc during debate over motion of thanks moved by BJP MLA Deepak Kumar Patel to express gratitude to Governor’s address during budget session of state assembly on Thursday.

The Congress legislator Dharamjeet Singh said that he was against establishment of High Court benches in different parts of state. “The government is planning to divide HC but we will oppose it strongly. There is no need to do this. Instead, the government should bring industrial court to Bilaspur,” said Singh.

He said lawlessness prevailed under BJP regime and the state had turned into a crime hub.

“The government should tell the House why its police failed to nab owner of Dolphin International School Rajesh Sharma. It is also surprising that one Mantu Tapadia manufactured about 5000 duplicate LPG cylinders under government’s nose. Who is responsible for this? These duplicate cylinders are actually bombs. What if any of these cylinders blast in any house,” Singh said.

He demanded registration of FIR against owner of Ambuja Cements Limited (Balodabazar) for recent mishap in the factory premises. He said the government should also conduct inspection of all cement factories located in different parts of Chhattisgarh.

“It is also annoying that despite recommendations of Lok Ayog the government is not taking action against Guru Ghasidas University’s vice chancellor Laxman Chaturvedi who is facing graft charges,” he said.

He hit the government for ignoring agriculture and promoting industrial sector. He said the forest dweller should houses under Indira Awas Yojna. On afforestation, he said the government must adopt natural process instead of merely launching plantation drives. He also demanded establishment of government eye hospitals with adequate facilities.

He said the government had failed in all departments and the people were only waiting for appropriate time to teach it a lesson.

No policy for farmers

Congress MLA Pratima Chandrakar indicated that the government had not framed any policy for farmers. “The agriculture sector is in dejected condition and the farmers are frustrated by the government’s apathy towards them,” she said.

She reminded the ruling party of its promise to disburse Rs 270 paddy bonus. She said farmers were committing suicide for failing to clear their debts. She criticised the BJP for not giving free electricity to the farmers despite claiming to have made Chhattisgarh a power surplus state.

She also expressed her surprise over reducing crop area and increasing crop production.  

Frequent power cuts intolerable

Opposition member Agni Chandrakar said frequent power cuts in rural pockets would not be tolerated. “The government has signed several pacts with industrialists to establish power plants in state. These pacts are of no use when the villagers do not get uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

Pointing towards construction of too many anicuts he said the purpose would only be solved when the water of anicuts would be used for irrigation.

Liquor sale on rise

Opposition member Bhajan Singh Nirankari ridiculed the government for failing to curb liquor sale despite launching deaddiction drive. He said the government even made Mahatma Gandhi a brand ambassador of its deaddiction campaign but could no check upsurge in liquor sale.

“If the ruling party seriously wants to discourage liquor consumption then it must announce blanket ban on liquor sale,” he said.

He further hit home minister Nankiram Kanwar on law and order. “The HM has lost his control over police officials. If he is incapable of handling the home affairs, he must step down. It is not necessary that a good human being will be good administrator,” he said.

He also demanded upgradation of facilities in government hospitals and health centres.

Mahant arriving today


Raipur, February 21, 2013

Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing industry Charandas Mahant will arrive in state capital on Thursday evening. 

After spending an hour at Raipur, he will proceed to Champa via road route. On February 23, he will participate in sports programme for disabled children at Janjgir. 

He will also attend two programmes in Korba and Damakheda on the same day before returning to Raipur. 

On Febraury 24, he will conduct a meeting at Indira Gandhi Agriculture University in presence of varsity’s vice chancellor. 

He will participate in a couple of local programmes in capital city and return to New Delhi at evening.



Cong’s three manthan camps from Feb 26-28


Raipur, February 21, 2013

Congress will organise three manthan camps Dongargaon, Dongargarh and Durg assembly constituencies on Febraury 26, 27 and 28 respectively. AICC general secretary and state Congress incharge BK Hariprasada will reach state capital on February 25 evening to attend the three camps. 

The camps will also be attended by AICC secretary and state unit secretary incharge Bhakt Charandas, PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey and other senior party leaders.



Yes! I met Kanker rape victims, reveals CM


Says his meeting was kept secret to hide identity of tribal girls

Assures to make strict anti-rape law

Informs that plans afoot to constitute FTCs to deal cases of sexual atrocities women

Raipur, February 19, 2013

Chief minister Raman Singh on Tuesday disclosed that he has already met Kanker rape victims, but the government kept his meeting secret to conceal the identity of the tribal girls.

“I talked to these girls and their parents for several hours. The government has made ample provisions to secure the future of these innocent girls. We will make sure such incidents may not iterate,” said Singh in his address during debate over adjournment motion on Kanker incident brought by principal opposition Congress on the second day of state assembly’s budget session.

“This is a grave matter. Everyone is hurt. We considered every provision under Indian Penal Code (IPC) while taking action against the guilty persons,” he said.

He assured the House that the government would not spare any responsible official or employee whoever tried to suppress the matter. He said the government would also ensure that the identity of the girls remain hidden during legal proceedings.

He informed the House that the government make strict anti-rape law and constitute fast track courts to deal cases of atrocities against women.

He said the government would take several measures to check sexual violence against girls and women. “In coming three months, the government will send teams in ashram hostels across the state to improve the conditions there,” he said.

Besides, he informed, the government would open girls’ ashram hostels at tehsil or block level considering safety of the students.



Choubey demands judicial probe

Leader of the opposition Ravindra Choubey demanded judicial inquiry into Kanker incident. “This is a serious crime. Being head of the state, the CM should tender his resignation on moral grounds,” he said.

Participating in debate over adjournment motion on Kanker rape case, he clarified that the Congress never intended to politicise the matter, but only wanted the government act responsibly.

He said the state had become crime hub as home minister Nankiram Kanwar lost control over police officials.

“There is no coordination in police administration. In fact, the entire government lacks coordination. Consequently the incidents like Kanker rape, train hijack, etc are occurring,” he added.

He pointed that the deputy sarpanch of village Jhaliyamari (Kanker district) had informed the block education officer (BEO) in written in August 2012 about victimisation of tribal girls in ashram hostel but no action was taken instantly.

“There no monitoring system in the state and therefore life has become hell for the students in ashram hostels,” he said.

He also slammed the government for not upgrading facilities in Jhaliyamari ashram hostel despite Rs 89 lakh being sanctioned for it in previous budget.

“If this is how the government is functioning then all its claims of redressing public grievances against the applications it received in gram and nagar Suraj campaigns are fake,” he said.

Earlier, state Congress president and MLA Nandkumar Patel claimed that if inquired, incidents like Kanker rape could be unearthed in 35 other ashram hostels.

“The Mahila Congress and NSUI has probed after Kanker incident and found startling facts,” he said.

Hitting the government for not replacing male staff with females in girls’ ashram hostels after Kanker incident, he informed the House that still 774 male employees were working in different hostels.

Congress MLA Dharamjeet Singh said the government’s inaction and red-tapism led to Kanker incident. He said the tribal department’s commissioner and Kanker district collector should also be blamed for not keeping a vigil in ashram hostels.

He asked the government to start a CM helpline number so that the victim of physical abuse females could instantly get help.

Congress MLA Amarjeet Bhagat said tribal girls were victimised due to flaws in the system. He demanded sacking of tribal development minister Kedar Kashyap.

Congress legislator Ambika Markam demanded death sentence for the Kanker rapists. She said girls and women were not secure under BJP regime.

The debate was also participated by Bodhram Kanwar, Ajit Jogi, Nankiram Kanwar, Ramvichar Netam, Subhau Kashyap, Renuka Singh, Ram Dayal Uike, Phoolchand Singh, Premsai Singh, Pratima Chandrakar, Dr Renu Jogi, Sumitra Markole, Hridayram Rathiya, Dr Haridas Bhardwaj, Dr Shivkumar Daharia, Agni Chandrakar, Kedar Kashyap, Lata Usendi,  Baiduram Kashyap, Mahant Ramsundar Das, Sewakram Netam, Neelima Singh Tekam, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Mohammad Akbar, Shakrajeet Nayak, Doojram Boudh, Padma Manhar, Shivraj Singh Usare, Saroja Manharan Rathore and Bhajan Singh Nirankari.


When Kedar, Lata blamed Cong for politicising Kanker rape

Participating in debate when tribal development minister Kedar Kashyap said that Congress should not politicise Kanker incident, the members of principal opposition vociferously attacked the minister and asked him to step down for not taking proactive measure to prevent the incident.

The leader of the opposition Ravindra Choubey warned Kashyap of boycotting him in the budget session if he would not apologise for his remark on Congress.

Eventually, on parliamentary affairs minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Kashyap regretted that he had uttered such words.

When women and child development minister Lata Usendi also said that Congress was trying to take political mileage on Kanker issue, the opposition members said being incharge minister for Kanker district, she too was responsible for the incident.

Followers