Dumper issue is petering out

Bhopal, Dec 21 (UNI) The much-debated dumpers' purchase issue -- involving Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan -- which rocked the State seems to be petering out.

Income-Tax authorities said nothing irregular had been found in the hiring out of dumpers to Rewa-based J P Cement in the name of Mr Chouhan's wife Sadhna Singh.

Meanwhile, the J P Cement, which was acused of connivance, has made it clear that eight people named by Opposition Leader Jamuna Devi had no trade relations with it.

The J P cement had not only refuted allegations levelled by the Congress but also released names of dumper owners -- none of them are relatives of the Chief Minister.

Civil Food Supplies Minister Akhand Pratap Singh dared the Opposition Leader on a debate on any platform on the issue. ''In case, she is proved wrong, she should retire from active politics,'' he said.

He described allegations levelled by Ms Devi as baseless. The Opposition Leader should maintain decorum in politics and not stoop to such low level.

Describing Mr Chouhan as a honest man with clean image, he said it appeared that the Congress was frustrated and its move was directed at destabilising the government and the BJP.

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