MP Budget anti-poor, anti-farmer: Oppn Leader

Bhopal, Mar 13 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Jamuna Devi today said the state budget 2007-08 was ''anti-poor and anti-farmer'' and would lead to price rise in the state.

Participating in the general debate on the budget, Ms Devi said raising tax on jaggery, hosiery, soaps and other essential items will lead to a rise in their prices.

She said that diesel tax was more in Madhya Pradesh as compared to other states. Construction work and electricity will become costlier as a result of imposition of tax on petrol, cooking gas, coal and professional tax.

Ms Devi met objection from Mr Kanshiram Bagri (BJP) when she alleged that the budget was devoted to the RSS and the Bajrang Dal.

She alleged that instances of suicide by farmers had increased, financial management collapsed and corruption increased during BJP's rule.

Questioning the contract being provided to a MNC for mining diamonds, she demanded that the government make it clear how much amount had been taken for the purpose.

The Leader of Opposition claimed that unemployment had been increasing, as the government had ended 23,755 posts. She alleged that the workers of the RSS and affiliate organisations were being recruited without following proper selection procedure.

Ms Devi claimed that the funds meant for Bhimrao Ambedkar Monument in Mhow had been misappropriated and poor quality material was used for its construction.

The Budget did not mention anything about minorities.

Mr Govind Singh, Mr Pradeep Jaiswal, Mr Satydev Katare, Mr Brijendra Singh and Mr Indrajeet Kumar (all Cong), Dr Sunilam, Mr Vanshmani Prasad, Mr Arjun Palia (all SP), Mr I M P Verma (BSP) and other MLAs participated in the general debate on the budget which ended today.

UNI