Richest MLA seeks govt paddy bonus

Bhopal: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader of Chhattisgarh T.S. Singhdeo, the richest MLA of the state owing properties worth Rs 600 crore as shown in his election affidavit, on Thursday attended an official function organised in his Assembly constituency of Ambikapur to receive bonus on paddy he had sold to the government recently, but returned empty handed.

Later, Mr Singhdeo clarified that he decided not to receive the bonus in protest against denial by the organisers to address the gathering on the occasion.

Chief minister Raman Singh, who presided over the function, later disbursed bonus to the tune of Rs 160 crore to around 19,000 farmers on the occasion.

The chief minister has earlier announced to give bonus at the rate of Rs 300 per quintal of paddy procured from the farmers to fulfill the promises made by the ruling BJP in the last assembly elections.

Around 37 lakh farmers will be benefited by the move. According to reports, the officials read out names of speakers, which included the CM, to address the function organised on the occasion. Mr Singhdeo’s name was found missing in the list, provoking him to leave the meeting place  in protest.