Jaipur, Feb 27: An angry opposition led by the BJP today staged a walkout in Rajasthan assembly protesting, what it described as, the "failure" of the state government in utilising Central funds for drinking water supply schemes in drought affected areas. The BJP and other members trooped into the well of the house and staged a protest during the Question Hour.


Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria (BJP) said that the people in drought hit areas were suffering because the state government was not fully utilising the Central assistance.

BJP member Rajendra Singh Rathore alleged a Central grant of Rs 113 crores for drinking water supply schemes remained "unutilised".

The protest started in response to public health engineering department minister C P Joshi's remarks that the Centre's assistance was "untimely and irregular".

The CPI(M), the Janata Dal United and some Independent members joined the BJP protesting the minister's reply.

As the Opposition members rushed to the well shouting anti-government slogans, deputy speaker Devendra Singh refused to permit senior BJP member Bhanwar Lal Sharma to speak unless members occupied their seats.

Amid the din, the minister said the government would fully utilise this year's Central grant of Rs 150 crores before the end of current financial year next month.
` After Singh declared the question hour as being over, the Opposition members staged a walk out raising slogans.

Bureau Report