Cong stall House proceeding over sale of Dam to Pvt Co

     Raipur, March 03, 2011: Members of the main opposition Congress today clashed with the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh assembly over the Rogda Dam of Janjgir Champa district and amid uproar the house could not transact its scheduled business.

     During the question hour, Congress member Mohammad Akbar raised the Rogda Dam and asked when was the dam constructed and whom had it been sold.

     Irrigation Minister Hemchand Yadav said the dam was constructed in 1962 with an investment of Rs 0.72 Lakh at village Rogda under Akaltara block of Janjgir-Champa district and had been handed over to the Revenue Department.

     For construction of the dam 21.80 hectare (53.85 acre) government land and 31.05 hectare (76.69 acre) total 52.85 hectare or 130.54 acre land were acquired, he added.

     The dam has an irrigation potential of 221.85 hectare and with a payment of Rs 332.775 lakh the dam was handed over to the Revenue Department, the Minister said.

     However, the opposition levelled several allegations and, led by Leader of Opposition Ravindra Choubey, raised slogans demanding cancellation of the sale of Rogda dam to a private company who was engaged in construction of a power plant on that area.

      During that period also one of the Congress members demanded the Chief Minister to come to the house and reply what happened to the Rogda dam, which was strongly objected by Urban Development Minister Rajesh Munat.

     After hearing Munat, Congress members went furious and alleged the minister had used indecent words and body gesture.

     Speaker Dharam Lal Kaushik also in his ruling said the members should not use unparliamentary or disrespectful languages and be selective in choosing their words while putting their points.

     Amid all this, the house was adjourned for five times at 11.31 AM, 12.03 PM, 12.26 PM, 1.12 PM and finally 3.22 PM for the day since question hour without transacting any business.