If nation wants electricity, coal will be needed, but its rules should not be violated: Baghel
Raipur:Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reiterated that if the nation wants electricity, it will need coal. However, rules should not be violated in the process. The Chief Minister stated this when asked about Parsa coal mine in the forests of Hasdeo.
On the felling of trees without permission for excavating coals from Parsa coal mine, Chief Minister said that coal is found in the areas where there are mountains and forests. There are policies to save the forests and forest department takes care it under the provisions of the Forest Act and Environment Act. There should not be violation of rules and the affected people should get equal compensation, the chief minister made it clear.
The Chief Minister further said that the country needs coal citing the suspension of several passenger trains due to coal shortage and such was never heard in the history of the country.
Today the Government of India itself has halted the trains even as the Railway Minister and the coal minister are constantly watching the situation and trying to overcome the situation. If the country wants energy or electricity, it will need coal. Coal will be available from where there is a coal mine, but the rules for this should be followed, Baghelasserted. There should be no hesitation in it. Chief Minister was talking to reporters at the police line helipad before leaving for Konta in Sukma district as part of his second leg of Bhent-Mualaqat programmeon Wednesday.
A nation becomes bankrupt, not a state
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reacted sharply to the statement of Leader of Opposition Dharam lal koushik who compared the situation of Chhattisgarh to Sri Lanka. Baghel said that the economy of Chhattisgarh is in a better shape as compared to the Government of India. The central government is not cooperating with Chhattisgarh government, and still the state is doing good on economic front, Baghelsaid. If it goes bankrupt, the country will be bankrupt, like Sri Lanka, not state, Baghel said. If you want to avoid going in that direction, you will have to serve the poor, Baghel told the Centre.
PESA will be approved in next cabinet
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said BJP has suppressed the tribals from the very beginning. Their rights have been snatched. Because of his policies, thousands of families had to migrate from Bastar. Congress has always been with the tribals and protecting their interests. Whether it is a matter of bringing Forest Rights Act or PESA Act. The PESA (Panchayat Extension of Schedule Area) Act is in force. Dr Raman Singh could not make it in his 15 years’ rule. The PESA rule will be approved in the next cabinet, said Baghel.
