Raipur: In the Chhattisgarh Assembly during the question hour on Tuesday, Public Works Department Minister Arun Sao verbally clashed with former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over the construction of a bridge without a tender in the severely Maoist-affected Sukma district of Bastar division.
Baghel and Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma accused the government of corruption and called for action against the officials involved in the project. Despite Minister Sao's explanation that the per Despite this PWD Minister clarified his stand and said it is the urgency due to which permission was granted for the construction of the bridge.
The reply from the Minister, an onset verbal confrontation between opposition and ruling party members resulted into pandemonium like situation in the house. Baghel argued that such construction is illegal and violates constitutional provisions, emphasizing that a tender is mandatory for such projects.
Lakhma raised concerns about the bridge construction in the border villages (Paria, Nagalgunda, Paria) of Sukma and Dantewada, questioning how it was allowed during the Lok Sabha elections when the model code of conduct was in effect.
He also noted that three bridges were built over the river without any progress on the connecting roads and demanded clarification on whether the bridges were funded under the PM Sadak Scheme or a state government initiative.
Minister Sao defended the construction, stating that security camps nearby necessitated the construction of the bridge for easier ration supply and troop movement during the rainy season. He explained that the Public Works Department and District Administration approved the project and the bridge has to be constructed in three phases, funded by DMF resources.
The bridge is still under construction, and he clarified that contractor Binod Singh Rathore and Ram Naresh Bhadauria were then assigned for the construction work.
Sao asserted that no payments had been made yet, with tenders invited on December 16, 2024, to be opened on December 17, 2024, and the project would be awarded to the successful bidder. He denied any allegations of corruption or misuse of power.
At the concluding part of the discussion, Speaker Dr. Raman Singh instructed that the term 'corruption' must be expunged from the Question Hour proceedings regarding the matter.
