Walkout in MP Assy over division of votes

Bhopal, Mar 12 (UNI) The opposition staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today after being dissatisfied over rejection of a demand for division of votes prior to passing of budgetary demands of the Water Resource and Higher Education departments.

Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi and others demanded the division after Water Resource Minister Anup Mishra's reply to a debate on budgetary demands. Speaker Ishwardas Rohani's rejection led to pandemonium by members. Mr Rohani expressed displeasure over the behaviour of Ms Devi and Mr Ramlakhan Sharma (Communist Party of India-Marxist) and expunged their remarks targeting the chair.

''Additional irrigation capacity has been created over 5.42 lakh hectares. Under the Interstate River Linkage Scheme, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have agreed in principle over the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Linkage Project and work will be initiated as soon as the Centre prepares a detailed project report,'' said Mr Mishra.

He announced the formation of a Higher Education Commission.

After the Minister's reply, demands exceeding Rs 1,954 crore were passed.

UNI AG-AC VD ND2138