Agencies, Bhopal
The principal-opposition Congress today staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly over a issue related to the state’s Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) – popularly known by its Hindi acronym Vyapam.
Congress member Mukesh Nayak raised the issue of appointment of inspectors (Weights and Measures) through the MPPEB from 2012 and sought details of advertisements published in newspapers for these appointments. In his reply, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Omprakash Dhurve said that all the 27 posts had been filled up.
However, Mr Nayak alleged that the minister is providing wrong information. He claimed that approval for making additional six appointments had been taken subsequent to making 27 appointments.
The member also sought information vis-a-vis uploading details pertaining to selected candidates on the website and communicating aspirants in this regard.
Mr Dhurve admitted that separate orders had been issued on the same date, as certain candidates did not arrive on scheduled time while certain others did not join. He said that these appointments had to be made in separate categories and assured that he would get the matter investigated.
Dissatisfied with the Minister’s reply, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh said that certain candidates – whose name was not on the waiting list – were too invited for joining and how 52 appointments were made against 27 posts. While the Minister denied these allegations, Congress members staged a noisy walkout in the House.
MP Assembly begins discussion on motion of thanks to Governor’s address
The discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address commenced in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly today.
Initiating the debate Mr Rameshwar Sharma (ruling Bharatiya Janata Party), while praising Governor Anandiben Patel’s address, said that Madhya Pradesh has registered an impressive growth in the past 14 years. Its economic growth is higher than the national average.
“The regime has laid thrust on social schemes such as Ladli Laxmi Yojana, the Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana, schemes for specially-abled people, etc,” he said.
Mr Sharma said that seven new medical colleges and metro rail projects in Indore and Bhopal are on the cards. Several welfare schemes for farmers, including the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, have been launched. Law and order situation has improved.
Dr Govind Singh (principal-opposition Congress) said that Madhya Pradesh has witnessed largest number of scams, highest number of atrocities against women and a spate in number of farmers’ suicides. The state is reeling under a debt of Rs 1.75 lakh crore and the Centre has capped its further borrowing limit to Rs 15,000 crore.
In the meantime, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh raised the issue of absence of senior government officials in the House while the first speaker from the Opposition is speaking. However, Speaker Sitasaran Sharma said that senior cabinet ministers were present.
Five members of both the BJP and the Congress took part in the discussion, which is scheduled to be continued tomorrow.
BJP member recounts ordeal in MP House
As a ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member narrated his ordeal of sitting in a police station for five hours after his security guard was thrashed by a toll barrier employee, Speaker Sitasaran Sharma today directed the Government to ensure police verification for toll barrier employees.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Mr Kalu Singh said that he had gone to lodge a complaint in the police station on the assault on his security guard but was made to sit for five hours.
“I was greatly distressed with the incident. Since then, I have stopped coming to Bhopal from Dhar in my car. I am commuting in bus instead,” said an anguished Mr Singh.
Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said that such incidents usually occur when a security guard – assigned to the security of a legislator – is not carrying his identity card and is not in specified uniform.
However, the member claimed that his security guard was carrying his identity card and alleged that untrue information was being provided in the House. Principal-opposition Congress members supported the BJP member and created ruckus over “inadequate” security for lawmakers.
While the Home Minister assured the regime’s commitment for providing security to legislators, the Speaker said that the dispensation should ensure police verification of toll barrier employees because sometimes they are of criminal disposition.
Ajay Singh raises issue of mining on govt land
Madhya Pradesh Revenue Minister Umashankar Gupta today announced an investigation by the Chief Secretary into the alleged scam to the tune of crores of rupees by encroaching and mining on government land in two villages in Satna.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh said that no first information report (FIR) was lodged despite a complaint being made to the Satna Collector, the Superintendent of Police and the public prosecutor in 2016.
In his reply, Mr Gupta admitted wrongdoing and assured inquiry by the Divisional Commissioner. Nonetheless, the Leader of the Opposition demanded that an all-member committee be formed and be sent to the two villages for investigation.
While the minister denied his demand, former minister and senior BJP member Babulal Gaur supported Mr Singh and described it as a serious matter that necessitated investigation. As Mr Singh persisted on his demand, the minister announced an investigation by the Chief Secretary.
Four months on, MP Govt awaits money from Centre for drought-relief
The Madhya Pradesh Government has received no money from the Centre for 133 drought-affected tehsils spread over 18 districts.
In his written reply to a query by Mr Ramniwas Rawat (principal-opposition Congress), Revenue Minister Umashankar Gupta said that the process of withdrawing funds for compensation in these districts is underway.
He said that a memorandum was sent to the Centre on November 2, 2017 seeking Rs 3,705 crore for providing relief to these districts. However, no money has been received from the Centre thus far.
