Chhattisgarh

• 27 Jul 2022

Coal block in Hasdeo Aranya

Why In News?

• On July 26, 2022, the Chhattisgarh Assembly unanimously passed the non-official resolution to cancel the coal block allotted in Hasdeo Aranya area submitted by Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) MLA Dharamjit Singh.

Key Points

• In the Assembly, MLA Dharamjit Singh said that There is a coal reserve of 57 thousand million tonnes in Chhattisgarh. Even in 50 years, only 25% can be mined.
• It is worth mentioning that about 2,22,921 trees are to be cut for Parsa East and Kete Basen coal mines and about 99,107 trees for Parsa coal mines which are currently approved for coal mining in Hasdeo Aranya area.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the Chhattisgarh government has given 1995 sq.km. Lemru Elephant Reserve has been declared in the area. A demand has been made to the Center to ban the coal block attached to it.
• It is worth mentioning that the coal block extension is being done in Hasdeo Aranya. Coal block has been allotted to a power company of Rajasthan. The NOC of the coal block was stuck for a long time. The NOC was issued by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department after the arrival of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Chhattisgarh.
• At the same time, the MD of the power company of Rajasthan had come to Chhattisgarh recently. He had met the Chief Secretary and collectors and urged them to start mining at a lower pace. Hasdeo Aranya's case has also reached the High Court and the Supreme Court. At the same time, 'Save Hasdeo Campaign' is also being run to save the forests of Hasdeo.

Pay Revision Bill

Why In News?

• On July 26, 2022, the Chhattisgarh Assembly passed a resolution on the Wages and Allowances of The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition and MLAs Amendment Bill, 2022 and the Chhattisgarh Ministers (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1972.

Key Points

• After the passage of the Pay-Allowances Amendment Act in the Assembly, now the MLAs and Ministers will get the enhanced salary. The hike in salaries and allowances is likely to burden the state exchequer with around Rs 6.81 crore annually.
• According to the bill, the chief minister's salary will be Rs. 2.05 lakh per month from the current Rs. 1.35 lakh after the hike, while the ministers will get Rs. 1.90 lakh from the current Rs. 1.30 lakh. The basic salary of the Chief Minister has been increased from Rs. 35,000 per month to Rs.50,000 per month.
• The Chhattisgarh cabinet has 13 ministers, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The salary of the Speaker will be increased from Rs 1.32 lakh per month to Rs. 1.95 lakh, while that of the Deputy Speaker will increase from Rs. 1.28 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh.
• The leader of the opposition will get Rs. 1.90 lakh per month instead of Rs. 1.30 lakh. The 15 parliamentary secretaries will get Rs. 1.75 lakh per month instead of Rs. 1.21 lakh. The salary of the MLA will now be increased from Rs. 1.10 lakh to Rs. 1.60 lakh per month.