Chhattisgarh Assembly's four-day session begins, Congress boycotts first day
Raipur, Dec 14
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly’s Winter Session 2025 opened on Sunday in Nava Raipur, marking a historic moment as proceedings shift to the newly constructed Assembly building.
The main opposition Congress boycotted the first day of the four-day session, scheduled till December 17.
For the first time, the session will operate in a completely paperless format.
The inaugural day is set apart by a special discussion on Chhattisgarh Vision 2047. However, with the absence of Congress legislators, only BJP members have initiated discussion with no Question Hour scheduled on Sunday. The debate is focused exclusively on the long-term developmental roadmap under the banner of Developed India 2047.
Despite the Congress boycott, the session promises to be packed with legislative activity.
MLAs have submitted a total of 628 questions, of which 333 are starred and 295 unstarred. Notably, 96 per cent of these were filed online, underscoring the Assembly’s digital shift. Alongside these, 48 calling attention motions and nine private member resolutions have been tabled, ensuring ministers will face rigorous scrutiny.
Key issues expected to dominate discussions include law and order, paddy procurement, land rates, and electricity supply -- subjects that cut across party lines and directly impact the state’s agrarian and industrial landscape.
Both Congress and BJP legislators are anticipated to press ministers on these matters in subsequent sittings.
Adding to the charged atmosphere, the Conversion Amendment Bill is slated for introduction during the session. Given its sensitive nature, combined with the Congress boycott and the BJP’s push for Vision 2047, political observers predict a tumultuous four days inside the new Assembly hall.
Congress Legislative Party leader Charan Das Mahant confirmed that none of the party’s MLAs will attend the House on the first day, as the agenda lists only a discussion on Chhattisgarh Vision 204 and on December 14, Congress is holding a major rally in Delhi in protest against “Vote Choriâ€.
The Winter Session thus begins not only as a milestone in Chhattisgarh’s legislative history -- with its paperless proceedings and modern venue -- but also as a stage for sharp political contestation, setting the tone for debates that will resonate far beyond Nava Raipur.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Paperless session is a fantastic step! 96% questions filed online shows we are moving towards a digital and efficient government. This is the kind of development we need. Hope the focus remains on real issues like paddy procurement and electricity for farmers.
As an observer, the optics are concerning. A new building, a digital shift, and a long-term vision debate—these are positive milestones. The boycott overshadows them. Both sides need to ensure the 628 questions on critical public issues get proper attention, not just political point-scoring.
The Conversion Amendment Bill is the elephant in the room. With the Congress absent, will there be a healthy debate on such a sensitive issue? A one-sided discussion in the Assembly is never good for democracy. Hope they join from tomorrow for a proper discussion.
Finally, a discussion on Vision 2047! It's high time our planning looks decades ahead. But vision needs action. Let's see if the talk on law & order and land rates translates into policies that help my father and other small farmers in Bastar. Jai Chhattisgarh! ðŸ™
Respectfully, while the digital shift is commendable, the core of democracy is debate and scrutiny. No Question Hour on the first day and the main opposition absent sets a poor precedent. The 48 calling attention motions need vigorous discussion from all sides, not just the treasury bench.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.