C'garh assembly: Cong stages walkout over dev funds issue

Accusing the ruling BJP of not properly using the funds sanctioned for the development works in tribals areas of the state, the opposition Congress today staged a walkout from the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Congress legislator Lakhma Kawasi sought to know the quantum of funds sanctioned by the government for Konta Project in the naxal-affected Sukma district between 2010 and January 2013.
He further questioned which development works were carried out through these funds in the region in this period.
Replying to this, Tribal Welfare Minister Kedar Kashyap said, "A total of Rs 1375.01 lakh were received for the Integrated Tribal Development Project Konta (Sukma). As many as 43 different development works done in the region through the funds."

Lakhma further sought to know how many meetings were held under the project and by whose permission these projects were sanctioned.
Replying to the question, Kashyap said that meetings were held, in which local public representative were invited and he would provide its details to him later.

Countering the minster's reply, Lakhma further alleged that no meetings were held during the period and no developmental works were carried out in the area.
"The development projects just remained on paper and the state government is not properly using the funds being provided for development in tribal region," he alleged.
He further sought inspection from the minster to check why meetings were not held and status of the project.

Joining him on the issue, other Congress legislators asked for minister's nod for conducting probe to check whether the sanctioned works were completed or not.
The minister further said he would call a meeting in this regard and would invite Lakhma for his suggestion.
Expressing dissatisfaction over minister's reply, Congress legislators started shouting slogans against the state government and staged a walkout.