C'garh Assembly: Oppn walks out over cement Cos' CSR spending

Dissatisfied with the state government's reply over spending by cement industries on corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Opposition Congress today staged a walkout from Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Congress member Mohammed Akbar raised a question on the number of cement factories functional in the state till January 31, 2013.
He also questioned the amount spent by the cement industry on their CSR in the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 fiscal.
In reply, the state Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat said, "As many as 11 cement plants were functional in the state till January 31."
He further informed the House that M/s Lafarge India Ltd has spent around Rs 7,12,74,900 on CSR in past three years.

Similarly, Century Cement spent Rs 3,38,36,571 ,Ambuja Cement Ltd (Rs 5,72,99,000), Lafarge Cement Balodabazar (Rs 8,67,54,000), L&T (Rs 2,00,62,400), Grasim Cement (Rs 2,63,50,000), ACC Ltd (Rs 2,60,54,823) and Bhilai JP Cement Ltd Rs (42,46,000) on CSR during the period.

Three companies, Bharat Cement Company, Singhaniya Cement Private Ltd and Jindal Steel and Power Limited have not spent anything on CSR during this period, the minister informed the House.
Soon after this, stressing that the JP cement plant established within the premises of Bhilai Steel Plant in Bhilai, was earlier a green belt area, Akbar alleged that the land use of the area had changed after installation of the plant.

It is a clear violation of rules, he said.
Refuting the Congress member's allegations, Munat said the construction of the plant had been carried out under norms.
Dissatisfied with the state government's reply, Congress legislators staged a walk out.