Bhagirathpura water tragedy echoes in budget session

Times News NetworkIndore: The presentation of Indore Municipal Corporation's annual budget on Tuesday was marred by intense protests and high drama as the opposition members and families of Bhagirathpura contaminated water victims confronted the administration over the tragedy. The incident, which reportedly claimed many lives, took centre stage even before the financial statement could be tabled.The tension peaked when Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav was reading a condolence motion.People in the visitors' gallery suddenly began waving posters of the deceased and shouting slogans. Among them was Sonali Kadam, who tearfully recounted how her mother-in-law died within 10 days of consuming the toxic water. "She was perfectly healthy before this. We have received no help from the authorities since her death," she cried out.Security personnel intervened to snatch the posters, leading to a standoff for some time. While BJP corporators alleged the protesters were Congress-sponsored plants, the opposition maintained they were genuine people being treated with ‘indecency' by the house.The protest even extended to the floor of the house. The chaos was compounded by a sudden power outage that silenced microphones, prompting Congress members to chant "Shame, Shame" in the darkness. Leader of Opposition Chintu Choukse further criticized the administration for listing the Bhagirathpura victims at the bottom of the condolence list.In his defence, Mayor termed the incident "unfortunate" but accused the opposition of inciting the gallery. He announced that the budget includes provisions to offer outsource jobs to the primary family members of the deceased based on eligibility. He further stated that the installation of separate drinking water and sewage pipelines in Bhagirathpura is currently underway on a "war footing."