Ex-speaker says DMET challenge lowered dignity of office

Bhopal, Dec 21 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi's written demand for ''evidence'' from Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, on alleged irregularities in the Dental and Medical Entrance Test (DMET) to the state's private colleges, was inconsonant with the dignity that should be accorded to the Speaker's office, feels Mr Rohani's predecessor Yagyadutt Sharma.

''I view the entire episode as a confrontation between the legislature and the executive. This is possibly the first episode of its kind in the state's legislative history. It would have been better if the Speaker and the Minister sorted out differences of opinion through discussion,'' he said in a statement issued today.

Pointing out that when the DMET issue was raised in the Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan could have tackled it by announcing an inquiry by a committee, Mr Sharma added that the Minister had made a mockery of democracy.

''If there is any complaint against the Speaker's behaviour, a member of the House may table a no-confidence motion,'' he felt.

Mr Rohani had said in the assembly that Mr Vishnoi should order a comprehensive probe into the matter. After a brief interval, Mr Vishnoi asked the Speaker to furnish proof.

''The Chief Minister has made it clear that the guilty will not be spared. The state government has moved the High Court and Supreme Court over DMET but evidence is imperative as there is a difference between a complaint and proof,'' said Mr Vishnoi.

On August 13, DMET was conducted here and in other places for more than 1,000 seats in eight dental and three medical colleges.

The test became embroiled in disputes in the wake of complaints about leakage of question papers, besides other irregularities.

The Justice Chandrabhushan Committee decided to cancel the test.

However, the High Court stayed the decision and directed the colleges to issue the results. The government challenged that ruling in the Apex Court.

UNI SD-AC KD KN1922