The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly witnessed a second day of intense uproar on Tuesday as the opposition Congress launched serious allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The Congress accused the state administration of enabling illegal and large-scale deforestation and orchestrating fake Gram Sabhas to push through coal mining projects in the ecologically sensitive Hasdeo and Tamnar regions.
Congress Moves Adjournment Motion, Levels Grave Charges
Led by the Leader of Opposition, Charandas Mahant, the Congress party moved an adjournment motion during the Zero Hour. They alleged that the Vishnu Deo Sai-led government permitted widespread destruction of forests in Hasdeo and Tamnar and facilitated coal mining projects by conducting fraudulent village council meetings. The opposition claimed these actions were in direct violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The Congress members further alleged harassment and a crackdown on villagers and public representatives who were protesting against these projects. They demanded a debate on what they termed an 'unprecedented destruction' of forests and wildlife in regions including Hasdeo, Tamnar, and Bastar. The party claimed that lakhs of trees had been felled and that Gram Sabha outcomes were manipulated to clear the mining projects.
Minister's Firm Rebuttal and Government's Stand
In a detailed response, State Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap strongly refuted all allegations. He asserted that the Chief Minister Sai's government prioritizes forests, wildlife, tribal welfare, and the environment, working relentlessly for their conservation.
To counter the deforestation claims, Minister Kashyap invoked a report by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun. He stated that forest cover in Chhattisgarh has increased by 94.75 square kilometers, while the area under trees outside forest land has grown by 702 square kilometers, which he claimed is the highest in the country.
On the specific allegations regarding Tamnar in Raigarh district, the minister clarified the official position. He stated that only two cases approved under the Forest Conservation Act in Tamnar involved the felling of 6,650 trees, done in accordance with rules. For the Gare Pelma Sector–2 coal mines, affecting 18 villages in Tamnar, he detailed that Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) received central approval on January 27, 2023, for diverting 214.869 hectares of forest land. Permission to axe 3,684 trees was granted on February 19, 2025, but only 1,124 trees were actually cut.
Kashyap denied all charges of fake public hearings, lathi-charges on protesters, and blockades in Surguja, Hasdeo Aranya, Tamnar, and Bastar. He emphasized that all forest land diversion received necessary approval from the Centre as per established rules and did not violate the FRA or NGT orders.
Bedlam in the House and Swift Suspension Drama
Unconvinced by the minister's explanation, Congress members persisted with their accusations. They stormed into the Well of the House, raising slogans against the government over the alleged forest land diversion and fake Gram Sabhas.
The Speaker, citing procedural rules, disallowed the adjournment motion after the minister's rebuttal. Following established practice, the Speaker named the opposition members in the Well and announced their suspension. However, in a swift turn of events, the suspension was revoked within moments, bringing a temporary end to the bedlam but leaving the core issue unresolved between the two political fronts.
The minister also informed the House that over the last two years, the state approved five mining cases involving the diversion of 1,300.869 hectares of forest land under the Forest Conservation Act, defending them as lawful procedures.
