Raipur, February 27 The opposition Congress questioned the BJP government in Chhattisgarh on Friday over the alleged illegal dumping of fly ash in the Raigarh district, and staged a walkout from the legislative assembly after expressing dissatisfaction with its response.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, senior Congress MLA Umesh Patel sought details on the number of industries operating in Raigarh district that generate and dump fly ash.
He also asked how many cases of illegal or unauthorized fly ash dumping were reported in 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 (up to February 4, 2026), and what action was taken in such cases.
Patel further sought information on the action plan to address environmental pollution caused by fly ash and coal transportation in the district, and the extent of its implementation.
Responding to the queries, the state's Finance Minister O P Choudhary informed the House that from 2023 until February 4, 2026, fly ash generated by 24 thermal power plants in the Raigarh district was used for land filling and mine filling.
Of these, six plants also temporarily stored ash in their own ash dykes, he said.
Choudhary said 49 cases of illegal or unauthorized fly ash dumping were recorded during the period, and action was taken in each case with environmental compensation imposed on the violators.
He also said the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board had issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on June 26, 2024, to prevent pollution during the transportation of raw materials, products, and waste by road.
The SOP came into effect on August 1, 2024. Additionally, an Industrial Waste Management and Monitoring System (IWMMS) has been operational since May 1, 2025, to monitor the transportation of industrial solid waste, he added.
The minister said that environmental compensation is imposed on industries found violating SOP norms during transportation.
However, Patel alleged that fly ash was still being dumped in places such as Botalda and Banipathar villages in the Raigarh district, including along roadsides. He claimed that officials were providing incorrect information, and he had already complained about the issue.
In response, Choudhary asserted that action against violations related to transportation was "ten times more" than during the previous Congress regime in the state.
He claimed that no action was taken in 2021-22 and 2022-23 under the previous government, and said the current administration was working on a model SOP to strengthen enforcement.
Unsatisfied with the minister's reply, Congress members staged a brief walkout from the House.