Raipur
The first day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly’s monsoon session witnessed an uproar over alleged irregularities in the 2024 Revenue Inspector recruitment. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rajesh Munat raised the issue during Question Hour, claiming the discrepancies occurred during the previous government’s tenure. Opposition members protested and staged a walkout, asserting the examination was conducted under the current administration. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
Revenue Minister Tankram Verma acknowledged the irregularities in the recruitment examination, stating a five-member committee’s investigation report confirmed the lapses. He informed the House that the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is conducting a high-level probe based on 40 points. Verma announced that action would be taken before the next Assembly session.
When BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar questioned who ordered the EOW probe, Verma clarified that the department decided to initiate the investigation.
Assembly Proceedings
Chandrakar also raised concerns about the recruitment process at Mahendra Karma University, alleging a lack of adherence to roster rules and arbitrary practices. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that a committee has been formed to investigate the irregularities, and action would be taken after the report is submitted.
Finance Minister O P Choudhary tabled the Commercial Tax, Chhattisgarh Value Added Tax Act, 2005. Minister for Forest and Climate Change Kedar Kashyap presented the Annual Report 2023–2024 of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant raised the issue of fertiliser shortage during a Call Attention Motion. He highlighted the availability of fertilisers with traders while government cooperative societies face scarcity. Mahant stated that farmers are losing trust in the government despite alternative arrangements.
Baghel criticised the government’s inaction, stating that farmers are suffering from fertiliser and seed shortages, and power cuts in the state. MLA Umesh Patel emphasised the critical need for fertiliser for farming, alleging that the government is deliberately withholding DAP to reduce production.
Tributes to Departed Leaders
Earlier, the House paid homage to former Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and Surendra Bahadur Singh, the erstwhile King of Sakti princely state and former Cabinet Minister, following their demise. The House was adjourned for 10 minutes as a mark of respect.
Chief Minister Sai, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap, Finance Minister O P Choudhary, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, MLA Ajay Chandrakar, and others attended the business advisory committee meeting before the session.
MLAs File 996 Questions
MLAs have submitted a total of 996 questions for the five-day monsoon session, scheduled from 14 July to 18 July. This indicates the likelihood of intense debates and sharp attacks from the Opposition on the government. The BJP government in the state has completed approximately one-and-a-half years in power.
No Supplementary Budget for First Time
For the first time since the state’s formation, the government will not present a supplementary budget during the monsoon session. The government has informed the Assembly Secretariat of this decision. Sources in the Assembly and Finance Department stated that the government decided against presenting the first supplementary budget due to sufficient financial arrangements for the next three months.
The government also increased the contingency fund during the last budget session, raising it from ₹100 crore to ₹1,000 crore for the current financial year. This provision allows for incidental expenses up to ₹999 crore.
