Budget Session witnesses heated exchanges as Opposition alleges funds diverted to police officials' families; proceedings adjourned twice
The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented turmoil on Thursday as Congress legislators staged a walkout demanding a thorough investigation into alleged compensation irregularities linked to the Adani Group's coal block project in Singrauli district. The ninth day of the Budget Session was marred by repeated adjournments as Opposition members refused to back down, claiming that funds meant for tribal families were diverted to ineligible recipients, including family members of police officials.
Allegations of Compensation Scam Rock House
The storm erupted during Question Hour when Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar raised the issue of land acquisition for the Adani Group's coal block at Dhirouli in Singrauli. Singhar informed the House that land from eight villages is being acquired, with 12,998 families officially identified as affected persons in the Collector's list.
However, what sent shockwaves through the Treasury benches were specific allegations that compensation meant for tribal families found its way into the accounts of individuals with no connection to the affected villages.
In a startling revelation, Singhar alleged that ₹15,94,990 was deposited into the account of the wife of Station House Officer Jitendra Bhadauria, while ₹14,42,482 was transferred to Swati Singh, wife of Traffic In-charge Deependra Singh Kushwaha.
"Tribal families whose ancestral land was acquired are yet to receive their full compensation, but funds have been credited to those who have no business being beneficiaries," Singhar charged, demanding that the matter be referred to a House committee for comprehensive investigation.
Government Assures Probe, But Opposition Unmoved
As the allegations triggered uproar, Steel Minister Karan Singh Verma attempted to clarify that compensation has so far been distributed to 1,552 affected families, with each tribal family eligible for up to approximately ₹50 lakh. He assured that if any outsider has received compensation, the matter will be investigated.
Minister Prahlad Patel added that action is being taken according to the government's compensation policy and promised that the beneficiary list would be tabled before the House.
Singrauli in-charge minister Sampatiya Uikey confirmed that 33,000 trees have been felled in the area and that land from five villages has been acquired. However, she maintained that coal extraction has not yet commenced, with only overburden removal work currently underway.
Despite these assurances, Congress MLAs led by Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat remained adamant, demanding a committee under senior minister Kailash Vijayvargiya to conduct a ground inspection. "The minister herself admitted trees were cut and soil removed. The allegations now stand substantiated. We need a fair, impartial inquiry," Shekhawat asserted.
Speaker's Intervention Fails to Pacify Members
Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar attempted to restore order, stating that the government had agreed to conduct an inquiry and urging members to cooperate. However, even as Zero Hour notices were being read, Congress legislators continued sloganeering, eventually staging a walkout in protest.
The House was adjourned twice—first for 10 minutes and later briefly—as Opposition members gathered in the Well, raising slogans against what they termed "Adani sarkar."
Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh was heard remarking, "The government has become Adani's government," as legislators from his party displayed placards demanding justice for affected tribal families.
Parallel Concerns Raised Over School Funds, Drug Trade
Amid the compensation controversy, the Assembly also witnessed discussions on other pressing matters. BJP MLA Shrikant Chaturvedi raised a Calling Attention motion highlighting negligence in school building maintenance, alleging that despite crores being released, funds were misused through official collusion. School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh assured that 17 individuals, including a school principal, have already faced FIRs.
Separately, BJP MLA from Jaora, Rajendra Pandey, raised alarm over rising illegal narcotics trade in the Malwa region, claiming that MD drug manufacturing has begun alongside traditional narcotics, with illegal arms trafficking operating under its cover.
What Next?
With the Congress staging a walkout and demanding a structured probe, the ball now lies in the government's court. Minister Prahlad Patel has urged all legislators to respect the Speaker's ruling and uphold the House's dignity. However, given the gravity of allegations involving tribal compensation and police officials' families, the issue is unlikely to subside quietly.
As one affected villager from Singrauli reportedly told local media, "We lost our land hoping for a better future. If our compensation has gone elsewhere, who will answer for our children's empty stomachs?"
The coming days will reveal whether the government's promised inquiry satisfies the Opposition or whether the Singrauli coal block controversy becomes the flashpoint for a longer political battle in the Assembly.
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