MP Govt earns Rs 99,000 from Baba Ramdeo's camp

Bhopal, Mar 14 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Government today informed the Assembly that the government earned a tax revenue of Rs 99,422 with the sale of books and medicines during a camp organised by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdeo in the state capital.

Replying to budgetary demands for 2007-08, Commerce Minister Babulal Gaur said sale of books and medicines worth Rs 20.27 lakh took place during the five-day camp that started on February 15.

Objecting to the opposition's claim that announcements of investment in the state were on paper, he said the state had received investment to the tune of Rs 1,300 crore so far -- much more than Rs 200 crore received during the 10-year-old rule of the previous government.

He said schemes of investment of over Rs 40,000 crore had been implemented in the state. He said the Centre had approved another factory with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore near Bina refinery in Bina. A MoU will be signed in this regard in two months.

Mr Gaur said permission had been granted for setting up of a sugar factory with an investment of Rs 300 crore besides a food processing unit in Chhindwara.

As a result of the policies of the government, revenue collection had gone up to Rs 8,000 crore, more than double as compared to the previous government. Besides, tax collection had increased by 19 per cent after the implementation of the VAT.

He informed that three cement factories will be set up in the Vindhya region, while the Centre had granted approval to establish ultra super plant in Sidhi.

Refuting the opposition's allegations of selling the land of Sanavad mill at low price, he challenged that it could approach the Lokayukta if it wished.

Regarding CPI(M)'s Ramlakhan Sharma and BSP I M P Verma's demand to provide GPF amount to labourers of closed mills, he said he will strive to provide labourers their right as per rules.

He rejected allegations by Mr Arif Aqueel (Cong) regarding victims not getting medicines and facilities in hospitals meant for gas-affected, saying these hospitals had dialysis, generator, clean drinking water and other facilities.

The Minister informed that the government had made a provision for Rs 42 crore for relief of gas affected and Rs 10 crore for a monument related to gas tragedy.

Mr Durgalal Vijay, Mr Shankarlal, Mr Girija Shankar Sharma and Mr Om Prakash Sharma (all BJP) , Mr Nithish Patel (Cong) and Mr Vanshmani Prasad (SP) participated in the debate.

After the Minister's reply, the budgetary demands were passed.

UNI