Congress again demanded registration of an FIR against Jay Prakash Associates Ltd for ‘violating’ environmental norms in setting up of a cement plant, and staged a walkout in the Assembly for the third consecutive day.

It was immediately after the Question Hour that Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes reiterated the demand for registering of an FIR against JP group for violating all norms in setting up its cement plant at Bagga in Solan district.

The moment the Chief Minister tried to intervene and give reply, the Congress legislators started raising slogans, which was countered by the ruling party members. Later, the Congress members left the House raising slogans.

The action of the opposition members evoked strong response from Chief Minister PK Dhumal, who said the Congress MLAs were fit to stay outside the Assembly as they preferred raising slogans and organising dharnas than raising relevant issues inside the House.

Giving details of the JP cement plant case, he said it was the previous regime which had allowed the company to get away and violate all norms. He said that it was the Congress which approved the project in August 2004 at a cost of Rs 90 crore to avoid environment impact assessment (EIA) report as the actual cost was Rs 400 crore.

The Chief Minister assured the House that action would be taken against the company as per the directives of the High Court as the issue was sub judice.

Source