MP Cong stages sit-in against corruption in BJP Govt

Bhopal, May 13 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Congress today staged a sit-in in front of Roshanpura square in the state capital to protest against rampant corruption in the state government and the failure of the BJP to fulfill its electoral promises.

The sit-in began at 1100 hours under the leadership of state Congress President Suresh Pachouri.

Opposition leader Jamuna Devi, party office-bearer Rameshwar Neekhra, party legislators Arif Aqueel and P C Sharma, Congress spokesperson Manak Agrawal and Mayor Sunil Sood took part in the sit-in along with others.

Posters depicting dumpers purchased by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's wife Sadhna Singh were put up at the site.

Mr Pachouri lambasted the BJP-ruled state government over corruption, failure to fulfill promises, power and water crisis and its high-handedness in discharge of constitutional duties.

Calling upon Congressmen to set aside differences and work together, he assured that the Congress would work with full dedication against anti-public polices of the BJP Government.

Alleging that the state government was spreading disinformation against the Centre, Mr Pachouri claimed that the Centre had provided adequate funds to the state but it was being misutilised.

Adequate funds had been provided for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the Sarvashiksha Abhiyan, the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana and other schemes.

He charged the government for not collecting coal allocated for power production and foodgrain meant for the Public Distribution System in time.

The Congress leader demanded resignation from Mr Chouhan in view of the Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict in the much-debated dumpers' purchase case. He pointed out that corruption case has been registered by the Lokayukt against the Chief Minister and eight others.

Referring to Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bundelkhand region, Mr Pachouri said several irregularities had been detected in the implementation of the NREGS. Besides, groundwater level has gone down and there is acute power crisis.

''There is widespread discontentment against the government over non-payment of dearness allowance, non-regularising of daily wage employees and youths not getting employment,'' he said.

The Congress leader claimed that more than 124 instances of communal clashes took place in the past four and half years due to faulty policies of the government.

Blaming the government for harassing innocent people in the name of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), he said the party had complained to Governor Balram Jakhar in this regard.

Earlier, while addressing a public meeting in Vidisha yesterday, Mr Pachouri took a dig at the government for failing to utilise central funds. He claimed the Centre had provided Rs 12,000 crore to the government so far but it could spend Rs 7,000 crore only.

He said the fact has been admitted by the state Chief Secretary but still the government blamed the Centre for discriminatory behaviour.

''On the other hand, the previous Congress government received less assistance when the BJP-led NDA was at power in the Centre,'' said Mr Pachouri, adding that Rs 110 crore and Rs 2,798 crore was provided to Madhya Pradesh under the Indira Awas Yojana and the Prime Minister Village Road Scheme in 2008 respectively against Rs 83 crore and Rs 292 crore provided in 2003.

The Centre had provided 2,800 MW power against 1,008 MW power to the state but it sold power worth Rs 172 crore to other states resulting in power crisis.

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