RAIPUR:The Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly turned stormy on Wednesday as the Opposition Congress created a major ruckus over the 'Nakti bulldozer action'.
During the Zero Hour the Opposition strongly raised the issue of demolition of allegedly 77 houses in Nakti village, located near the state capital Raipur on June 29.
The issue triggered a massive uproar in the House.
The minister for revenue and disaster management Tank Ram Verma clarified that the demolition was carried out strictly as per legal and administrative procedures following a complaint of illegal encroachment filed by Rajnish Chandrakar with the Raipur Collector.
Notices were issued, due judicial process was followed, and sufficient time was given to residents to remove their belongings.
The administration also made arrangements for their relocation.
The Congress members alleged that the action against poor families was a violation of human rights and accused the BJP government of promoting ‘bulldozer culture’.
The Opposition demanded a detailed discussion on the issue in the House through adjournment motion.
The minister, however, strongly defended the action and further clarified that the encroachers were properly rehabilitated, no household belongings were damaged, and the claim of rain affecting the operation was incorrect.
Speaker Raman Singh rejected the adjournment motion, which led to intensified protest by Congress legislators.
They entered the Well of the House and raised slogans.
In another significant development, the Opposition also raised the issue of tiger poaching in the Indravati Tiger Reserve through a Call Attention motion.
Leader of Opposition, Charandas Mahant, alleged political patronage in the case and criticised the government for not disclosing the name of the IB personnel arrested.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyaap assured the House that strict action would be taken against all those found guilty.
Meanwhile, a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition on the second day of the session will be taken up for discussion on the last day — July 17.
During Question Hour, the Opposition also raised the tragic death of 25 people in an accident at the Vedanta plant in Sakti and sought answers from the government.
--IANS
