Congress seeks Chhattisgarh chief minister’s resignation

RAIPUR - Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh faced opposition heat in the state assembly for the third consecutive day Thursday as the Congress members pressed for his resignation for recommending an iron ore mine for an allegedly bogus company.

The house was then adjourned sine die, a day before the winter session was originally scheduled to end.

The Congress legislators attacked Singh for recommending to the central government allotment of a mine to Pushp Steel and Mines Ltd. that was formed in New Delhi in 2004 with a paid up capital of just Rs.1 lakh.

The company had got a massive area for iron ore mining in Chhattisgarh within one year on its formation on the recommendation of the state government but later its mining lease was cancelled.

As the house assembled at 11 a.m., the Congress members led by Mohammed Akbar raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government, accusing it of being involved in scandals, and sought Raman Singh’s resignation as he holds the mining portfolio too.

The Congress members asked the government to name the owners of the company.

“The government must inform what prompted it to allot land to the company the day MoU was signed,” asked Akbar.

“The state is mired in corruption and scandals, there has been a large-scale corruption in signing MoUs with the companies,” he said in midst of vociferous slogan-shouting.

The house erupted in protests repeatedly over the issue and the speaker adjourned the house sine die after two brief adjournments. The winter session of the state assembly that began Dec 6 was scheduled till Dec 10.