Bhavna Bohra alleges irregularities in Public Relations Department

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy): During the assembly session, Pandaria MLA Bhavna Bohra prominently raised the issues related to irregularities in the amount allocated for advertising in the Public Relations Department, vacant posts of teachers, tribal land sale and subsidy on electric vehicles in the House.

Allegation of irregularities in Public Relations Department

MLA Bohra raised questions about transparency in the allocation of government advertisements by the Public Relations Department. The government informed that 243 digital news portals are empanelled, but no national news portal has been empaneled. In the financial year 2023-24, ₹ 67.16 crores were spent on 3179 digital portal advertisements, ₹ 147.36 crores on 12,881 newspaper advertisements, ₹ 140.93 crores on 901 TV channel advertisements and ₹ 5.29 crores on 187 radio advertisements.

Bhavna Bohra alleged that the advertising expenditure was doubled compared to last year, which could be a misuse of government funds. She also informed that despite the three-month contract for hoardings, complaints have been received about their removal in a month and full payment being made. On this, the minister assured to conduct an investigation.

Tribal land sale case

MLA Bhavna Bohra asked questions related to permission for sale of land of Scheduled Tribes in Kabirdham district. Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma said in a written reply that a total of 118 applications were received from 2021-22 to 2024-25, out of which only 16 were allowed. At the same time, no land has been sold without the permission of the court.

Issue of vacant posts of teachers

Bhavna Bohra raised questions on the shortage of teachers in government schools of the state and the government’s policy on the recruitment of 33,000 teachers. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai replied that 56,601 teaching posts are vacant in the state, 5,912 schools are single teacher and 439 schools are teacherless. Recruitment of 33,000 teachers is under consideration, while a five-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to investigate the case of dismissed assistant teachers.

Question on electric vehicle subsidy

Bhavna Bohra raised questions on the status of subsidy being given on electric vehicles. According to the government, a subsidy of 10% or ₹1.50 lakh (whichever is less) is being given under the Chhattisgarh State Electric Vehicle Policy 2022. So far 28,248 beneficiaries have been found, while about 45,000 vehicles are pending for subsidy payment. A proposal has been sent to the Finance Department for budget provision, but the timeline cannot be fixed.

MLA Bohra’s demands
Bhavna Bohra demanded that concrete steps should be taken to ensure transparency in the advertisement scam, delay in recruitment of teachers, tribal land sale process and electric vehicle subsidy. The government assured proper investigation and action on these issues.