Second Day of Chhattisgarh Assembly Monsoon Session Witnesses Uproar over Jal Jeevan Mission, CSR Funds
Raipur
Tuesday marked the second day of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly’s monsoon session, which, like the first day, was marred by uproar. During the Question Hour, a heated debate took place between the government and the opposition over the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Dissatisfied with the government’s response on the mission, the opposition staged a walkout. Opposition leaders accused the government of presenting misleading data and alleged irregularities in the scheme, while the ruling side blamed the previous Congress-led government’s policies.
Responding to a question by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister Arun Sao said that 10 lakh tap connections were provided in the last seven months. Baghel countered, claiming that only ₹3,500 crore had been spent under the double-engine government and that only 57% of the target was achieved.
Sao retorted that the current situation would not have arisen if the previous government had completed work on time, alleging taps were installed without water supply.
During Question Hour, BJP State President and MLA Kiran Singhdev raised the issue of CSR funds received from industries in Bastar division. He questioned the expenditure of ₹7.44 crore out of ₹21 crore allocated. Industry Minister Lakhansao Dewangan responded with a detailed breakdown but was challenged by Singhdev, who alleged no funds had been released for approved development works in the last two years. The Leader of Opposition, Dr. Charan Das Mahant, demanded an investigation into how much CSR was spent under the previous and current governments.
Returning to the Jal Jeevan Mission debate, Bhupesh Baghel questioned the funds spent and number of households that received water between 2022–25. Arun Sao replied that ₹15,045 crore (57%) had been spent so far, covering 31.16 lakh households with piped water. However, he admitted verification revealed that in 2023, only 21 lakh households were actually receiving water, while taps were installed in 36 lakh homes.
Baghel argued that if 21 lakh households received water under the previous government, the current government has only added 10 lakh in two years—raising doubts over data accuracy. This triggered more uproar, with opposition MLAs accusing the government of misleading the House and citing poor water access in several districts.
Dr. Mahant claimed that only 7% work had been completed in 20 months of the BJP government, compared to 74% under Congress. Sao maintained that 10 lakh functional tap connections had been provided. A heated argument ensued, prompting Speaker Dr. Raman Singh to intervene and urge decorum, reminding members that the nation watches Assembly proceedings. Dissatisfied, the opposition walked out of the House.
On the second day, Finance Minister OP Choudhary was scheduled to present an ordinance. The session will run until July 18.
