Congress walks out of Chhattisgarh assembly

RAIPUR - Chhattisgarh’s main opposition Congress staged a walkout from the state assembly Wednesday, accusing Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ramvichar Netam of not taking action against contractors allegedly involved in poor road constructions.

The Congress, which has 39 members in a 90-member assembly, said Netam was himself backing corruption in road construction under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and was shying from taking action against errant officials.

The minister seemed uncomfortable when Congress members asked him what action had been taken against officials and contractors found involved in sub-standard road construction.

Netam said his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government would take action against anyone found in poor quality road construction. But the opposition walked out from the house, accusing the minister of being reluctant to initiate action against those found guilty.