6,278 unemployed get job in MP in past three years

Bhopal, Mar 22 (UNI) Only 6,278 candidates of the more than 19.53 lakh registered unemployed people in Madhya Pradesh had received employment in the past three years, Commerce and Industries Minister Babulal Gaur told the Assembly today.

In a written reply to Dr Sunilam (SP), Mr Gaur said employment opportunities had been generalted for 1,26,749 people by setting up small-scale and cottage industries in the past three years.

Mr Gaur told Mr Omprakash Khatik (BJP) that the government collected Rs 148.44 crore as professional tax in 2004-05 and Rs 152.13 crore in 2005-06.

The government had collected Rs 120.75 crore as professional tax for the current fiscal up to January.

The Commerce Minister told Mr Ramgulam Uike that the government had to collect Rs 16 crore as commercial tax from M/S Distilleries.

Efforts were on to collect the amount. The matter was pending in the court.

Replying to another question, he said no agreements were inked by foreign investors during the recently-concluded 'Investors Meet' in Khajuraho. However, Indian investors signed on agreements to the tune of Rs 34,558 crore.

Tribal Welfare Minister Rustam Singh informed that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had not announced regularisation of panchayat karmis under the Panchayati Raj Act.

He clarified that a provision existed for transfer of panchayat karmis from one panchayat to another.

Mr Singh said 423 beneficiaries had been found to be ineligible under the Indira Awas Yojna in Satna district panchayat. Action against officials responsible was under consideration.

Forest Minister Himmat Kothari said a scam of several lakhs had come to light under forest depot in Budhni and Sehore. Action was being taken against guilty officials.

Mr Kothari informed that the Transport Corporation received more than Rs 64 crore income between July 2004 and January 2007.

The Transport Corporation had a contract with 1,480 vehicles.

Finance Minister Raghavji said the government had decided to form the Bundelkhand Development Authority in order to remove backwardness in the region.

UNI