Raipur. On Wednesday, the opposition raised the issue of cutting of trees in Hasdev Aranya loudly in the Assembly. The opposition gave an adjournment motion and demanded discussion. The opposition created an uproar when Speaker Dr. Raman Singh’s adjournment motion was unacceptable. As soon as the House proceedings resumed after being adjourned for five minutes, the opposition, reiterating their demand for discussion, entered the sanctum sanctorum and raised slogans against the government. The opposition members were automatically suspended upon entering the sanctum sanctorum.
On repeating the opposition’s demand for discussion in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brijmohan Aggarwal said that even after the arrangement for assembly, the opposition’s demand is not justified. There will be ample opportunities for discussion in the House.
Before this, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant said in the House that a resolution was passed in this House itself on July 26, 2022 regarding the cancellation of all coal blocks in Hasdev area. The letter was sent to the Central Government. No action was taken on this. Before the formation of the government and becoming the Chief Minister, the Forest Department gave permission to cut 15 thousand 307 trees in Hasdev. He said that it is sad to issue such an order even after the Assembly had passed a private resolution. This is a serious problem. With the destruction of Hasdev, Bango Dam will end. The forest will disappear.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the unofficial resolution was passed unanimously in this House. Even after this, permission for harvesting was given. What is this invisible power that has given permission to cut trees? Wildlife will be affected by this. The tribals there will be affected. Due to Bango Dam being affected, irrigation of many districts will be affected.
Congress MLAs Kunwar Nishad and Vikram Mandavi said that life will be affected due to destruction of forests. Elephant-human conflict is going on in Hasdev. The tribals of Hasdev area are not able to express their views. The water, forests and land of the tribals are under threat.
Congress MLA Anila Bhediya said that forests are being cut for industrialists. There is BJP government at the center and the state. Work should be done to save Hasdev and protect the tribals. Ambika Markam said that our Chief Minister is a tribal. Tribal people are facing the biggest loss in Hasdev. We believe that there would be benefits of being a tribal Chief Minister.
