No drought-linked migration in MP: govt

Bhopal, Feb 29 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today denied in the Assembly that drought-affected people were migrating in search of work.

Replying to a call attention notice moved by Dr I M P Verma (Bahujan Samaj Party), Water Resources Minister Anup Mishra said, ''drought-affected people of Rewa district's Mauganj were provided employment in irrigation projects as also in work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.'' The district administration arranged supply of foodgrain and potable water in drought-hit areas.

Dr Verma said people in Mauganj tehsil were agitated over lack of employment and work on irrigation projects was at a standstill.

Migration of the drought-affected in search of work continued, he added.

Replying to another call attention notice moved by Mr Tarachand Bawaria (Bharatiya Janata Party) regarding alleged unauthorised mining by road contractors in Chhindwara district, Mines Minister Laxmikant Sharma said that a team of officials from here would be sent for inspection and action initiated against those found indulging in such mining.

Mr Bawaria claimed that a tehsildar who mustered courage and took action against a contractor engaged in illegal mining was assaulted by the contractor and his henchmen.

The contractor was fined Rs 1.70 lakh for indulging in such mining earlier and six people arrested on the charge of assaulting the Tehsildar of Parasia in February, the Minister said, adding the challan in the assault case was put up in court yesterday.

A total 33 cases of unauthorised mining and 58 cases of illegal transport of minerals were registered in Chhindwara district this year, the Minister added.

UNI SP AC AKJ HS1806