Madhya Pradesh Budget session to begin on Feb 25

Bhopal, Feb 24: The 40-day budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly beginning here on Feb 25 is expected to be stormy with the main opposition Congress ready to step up its attack on the BJP government on several issues, including rampant corruption in the state.

The session, beginning with the customary address by Governor Balram Jakhar, would comprise 22 sittings and would conclude on April 4. The budget presentation is expected on February 27. A decision in this regard is expected in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee tomorrow, official sources said.. Since Assembly elections are scheduled this year end, both the BJP and the Congress are gearing up for the budget session. Many sops mainly benefitting the farmers in the form of relief in electricity dues are likely to be announced.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Opposition Leader Jamuna Devi said the Congress Legislature Party, at its meeting today, has decided to put the state government in dock over corruption by ministers and in public welfare-related schemes, power, water and problems related to farmers.

Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, state Congress President Suresh Pachouri and CLP spokesperson Sajjan Singh Verma were present in the meeting. She said the much-debated dumper issue involving Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would be raised during the session.

Expressing concern over drought situation, she alleged that the BJP was playing politics over it and relief works were not opened up despite migration. The government had failed to provide relief to farmers affected by hailstorm.

Ms Devi said the Opposition would raise the issue of not fulfilling electoral promises regarding electricity, water and road in the House. Besides, issues of deteriorating law and order and closure of industries would be raked up.

UNI