Koushik raises sanitation machine issue in Assembly; Oppn walks out on job allowance
Raipur
The second day of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly’s winter session was marked by strong arguments over defunct sanitary napkin vending machines in schools and colleges, non-payment of unemployment allowance, and mobile network issues.
Sanitation Machine Status
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Dharam Lal Koushik raised the issue of non-functional sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators installed in educational institutions. He alleged that despite spending crores of rupees, female students were not benefiting from the scheme and demanded an investigation.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Laxmi Rajwade stated that approximately 1,600 machines were working correctly, while 1,300 machines were currently non-functional. She assured the House that an inquiry would be conducted.
Unemployment Allowance and Walkout
During Question Hour, Congress MLA Umesh Patel raised the issue of eligible youths not receiving the unemployment allowance. He questioned why beneficiaries were being denied financial aid even though the scheme had not been officially discontinued.
As the Minister failed to provide a clear reply, the Opposition staged a noisy protest. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel intervened, stating that the government’s reply in the Assembly confirmed the scheme was still active, yet payments were stopped. He accused the government of betraying the youth, adding that budgetary provisions for the allowance had been made.
Following a heated exchange, Congress MLAs, dissatisfied with the response, raised slogans and staged a walkout.
Mobile Network Concerns
MLA Renuka Singh cornered departmental officials, alleging they provided false and incomplete information about mobile towers. She pointed out that severe network problems persisted in several areas, despite towers being shown as operational in official records.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai informed the House that the state government had written to the Central government regarding the issue and assured that new mobile towers would be installed soon in affected areas.
Paddy Procurement Uproar
The Opposition also moved an adjournment motion over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement. Bhupesh Baghel accused the government of deliberately weakening the procurement system to hand it over to private entities.
Key issues highlighted:
- Committee managers, staff, and computer operators on strike
- Serious flaws in the registration process
- Farmers with forest rights patta not registered
- Online token system failure, forcing farmers to make repeated visits to choice centres
