22 of 24 ministers, 154 of 163 All India Services officers let off the hook
BHOPAL : Congress MLAs tried to corner the government on the issue of corruption in the House on Thursday. They said that corruption had struck deep roots in the government machinery but those guilty of graft were being give clean chit.
The government, meanwhile, is sitting pretty. The members also put up demands related with their respected constituencies.
Congress MLA Kamleshwar Patel, alleged that the Lokayukta police and EOW have filed cases against ministers and government officials but most of them have been let off the hook.
He added that the Lokayukta had given clean-chit to 22 out of 24 ministers and the decision on the remaining two ministers was pending. Similarly, cases against 111 IAS officers were registered but 106 were given clean-chit. Thirty-three IPS officers were charged but 31 were given clean-chit, 19 IFS officers were also charged, but 17 of them were declared innocent by the Lokayukta and 18 HoDs of various departments were charges, of which 15 were given clean-chit.
‘Paun-Paun wale bhaiya’ uses 4 choppers: Jitu
Congress MLA Jitu Patwari said that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan was once popular as “Paun-Paun wale Bhaiya” (the brother who moves on foot only). But it is unfortunate that now he uses four helicopters and Rs 16 crore on his travels in one years. He was taking part in the discussion on the demands for grant for general administration, culture, tourism, Narmada Valley and aviation departments in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.
1500-seater new Ravindra Bhawan to come up in city
The government has constituted a Tourism Cabinet, Minister for Tourism and Culture Surendra Patwa announced in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday in his reply to the discussion on the demands for grants of the two departments. Later, the House cleared the Rs. 421 crore demands. Patwa informed in the assembly that a new 1500-seater Ravindra Bhawan was being constructed in Bhopal. The Ravindra Bhawans in Khandwa and Vidisha are being upgraded. He added that for the first time in the country, a tourism cabinet has been established in the state. The cabinet will be responsible for the development and management of the tourist spots of the state. It will also explore possibilities of developing new tourist circuits in the state.
Assembly nod to new plane for govt
The Assembly on Thursday approved the proposal to buy a new aircraft by the government. The House approved demands for grants Rs. 2059 crore of GAD and Aviation Departments. The General Administration, Aviation and Narmada valley development minister Lala Singh Arya informed the assembly that Narmada valley projects will increase irrigated area by 7.5 lakh hectares in next future. The minister has approved the project to buy a double engine jet plane for the state. He added that the government has a plan to establish airstrip in every district of state and the government is working in this direction.
