RAIPUR: All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Chhattisgarh, Sukhdeo Bhagat, on Sunday accused state's BJP government of failing to protect tribal rights, create employment, ensure development in mining-affected areas and maintain law and order.
The newly appointed in-charge, while addressing the media, alleged that forests were being cleared for mining projects in several areas, including Hasdeo Aranya, and claimed that the rights and consent of Gram Sabhas were being disregarded. “Chhattisgarh is not merely a mineral warehouse. It is home to tribal communities, their culture and livelihoods,” he said, questioning whether local communities were receiving an adequate share of the benefits generated from the state’s mineral resources.
Bhagat alleged that District Mineral Foundation funds were not being adequately utilised in mining-affected villages and demanded details of expenditure and pending development works in such areas.
The Congress leader also raised questions over implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, or PESA, and the Forest Rights Act. PESA gives tribal communities a greater say in decisions concerning their villages and local resources. He demanded that the government make public details of pending and rejected claims relating to forest rights.
On Bastar, Bhagat questioned whether development accompanying security operations was reaching people in the form of schools, health facilities and employment. He also demanded an impartial inquiry into allegations of fake encounters and harassment of villagers.
The Congress leader attacked the government over unemployment, alleging that recruitments were stalled, examinations postponed, and young people remained uncertain about government job opportunities. He demanded that the number of vacant posts and a recruitment calendar be made public.
According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) annual report, “the unemployment rate among people aged 15-29 in Chhattisgarh was 6.1 per cent in 2025, based on usual status (principal and subsidiary status)”, Bhagat said.
The AICC in-charge also criticised the government over what he described as unfulfilled election promises relating to jobs, farmers and allowances, and sought a public “report card” on the commitments made under the BJP’s campaign and “Modi’s Guarantee”.
On the electoral roll revision, Bhagat demanded constituency-wise details of names removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), including social categories of those affected. The final electoral roll published in February 2026 contained 1,87,30,914 electors, compared with 2,12,30,737 in the pre-draft roll, he said.
Bhagat also accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order and alleged corruption and illegal sand-mining activities in different parts of the state.
The Congress leader said his party would also raise issues concerning farmers, inflation, electricity supply and implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), including the government’s action taken on findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
State Congress President Deepak Baij, who was also present along with Bhagat, said strengthening the party organisation up to the booth level, mobilising youth and women and improving coordination among senior leaders would be their key priorities.
“The Congress will fight for people’s rights from the assembly to every district,” Bhagat said, announcing that the party would launch public outreach and mobilisation programmes. He said the party's campaign would form part of its preparations for the 2028 assembly elections.
(With inputs from PTI)