Congress MLAs stage walkout in Chhattisgarh Assembly

Raipur, Feb 22 (PTI) Main Opposition Congress todaystaged a walkout in the Chhattisgarh Assembly, accusing theBJP Government of selling river waters to industrialists.

Raising the issue in the House, former Chief MinisterAjit Jogi and his wife Renu said the Raman Singh Governmentwas trying to sell precious rivers waters to industrialists.

Participating in a calling attention motion, the Jogicouple said water from irrigation dams and canals is beingdiverted to power plants and cement factories.

This is being done after taking "commissions" fromcorporate houses, they said, adding farmers are being deprivedof adequate water for irrigation, they said.

Water Irrigation Minister Hemchandra Yadav rejectedthe charges levelled by the Congress MLAs and said onlyadditional water is being provided to industries.

Only after fulfilling the drinking and irrigationrequirements, water is being given to industries, he said.

Not satisfied with the Minister''s reply, Congressmembers staged a walkout.