Monsoon Session: Opposition brings no-confidence motion against government, youth protest, liquor scam, uproar over unemployment

Raipur

The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a din as the opposition BJP brought a no-confidence motion against the government demanding a discussion on unemployment, liquor scam, nude protest by youths, protest by daily wage and contractual employees and inadequate funding for welfare programmes.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented a supplementary budget of 68,291.79 crores, the largest in the past 23 years. 

This budget allocation will raise the total budget of the state to 1.13 lakh crores for the current year. The discussion on the supplementary budget was going on till filing this report.

However, prior to the budget discussion, the opposition took the opportunity to raise a no-confidence motion against the government. The Speaker has scheduled a discussion on the motion for 22nd July at 12 noon. 

The budget includes the provision of laptops to new legislators, the establishment of a State Industrial Security Force (SISF) battalion, the creation of a Central Sperm Bank in Durg, and additional payment to a Chennai-based film production company for their short film “Hands of Love” as part of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. Other allocations involve the establishment of the Acharya Narendra Dev Research Chair at Durg University, an increase in funding for medical colleges, the construction of a special jail in Raipur, and the development of a software park in Bhilai.

During the discussion on the supplementary budget, questions were raised by the opposition regarding the credibility of unemployment figures and the recruitment process. The opposition also voiced concerns about the age limit requirement for registering in the unemployment scheme, citing it as absurd. Additionally, they highlighted irregularities in the sale of liquor in the state, which reportedly led to the deaths of three individuals, including a soldier.

The session witnessed further uproar when the issue of youth protesting naked on the Assembly Road was brought up. Unsatisfied with the government’s response, the opposition staged a loud protest within the House. In response to the incident, the government has called for a high-level meeting to review the actions taken so far, scheduled to be held on 20th July. Another meeting, headed by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, will address the issue of fake caste certificates used to secure government jobs.

The opposition members who participated in the uproar have been suspended from the House. However, tensions are expected to escalate with the upcoming presentation of the Mahalekhakar(Comptroller) report on Wednesday. The report is anticipated to create further upheaval, indicating that the Chhattisgarh Congress government and the opposition will remain in a state of turmoil throughout the remaining days of the Monsoon Session.