Speaking in the Upper House, Netam alleged that mining activities in Deposit-4 of the Bailadila range were being carried out through fabricated gram sabha approvals. She warned that large-scale deforestation across nearly 1,600 acres would cause irreversible damage to biodiversity and threaten the cultural and social fabric of tribal communities dependent on forest resources.
The MP said the issue was not limited to mining alone but reflected a broader pattern of policy decisions that prioritised extraction over local consent and ecological balance. She urged the Centre to immediately intervene and ensure that constitutional protections for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities were strictly enforced.
Expanding her criticism, Netam highlighted what she described as the weakening implementation of landmark welfare legislations such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the Right to Education (RTE) Act. She said these initiatives, introduced during previous Congress-led governments, were losing effectiveness due to poor execution and administrative neglect.
Citing data in the House, the MP pointed out that vacancies in information commissions across states were hampering transparency and weakening the RTI framework. She argued that delays in appointments had diluted accountability mechanisms essential to democratic governance.
Netam also questioned the effectiveness of the Jal Jeevan Mission, stating that the programme appeared limited to the installation of pipelines and taps, while many villages in Bastar continued to face acute water shortages. She said Chhattisgarh had contributed significantly to the nation’s energy and industrial needs through coal and iron ore, yet regions like Bastar continued to lag in basic infrastructure and public services.
Calling attention to regional disparities, the MP demanded a special economic package for Bastar to address long-standing developmental gaps. She said the region’s youth possessed talent and potential but lacked access to quality education, training and employment opportunities, preventing them from competing at the national level.
Netam further criticised the government over stagnant farm incomes, alleged irregularities in crop insurance schemes and rising unemployment. She urged the Centre to respect parliamentary democracy by constructively engaging with opposition voices and incorporating their suggestions in policymaking. The MP also pressed for the timely conduct of the national census and uninterrupted foodgrain supply for vulnerable populations.
