Bhopal, Mar 13: Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today alleging financial irregularities in imparting training under Rewa district's Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana.

Replying to Girish Gautam (BJP), Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Rustam Singh admitted during question hour that training under the scheme was imparted by a non-government organisation in which more transparency was expected. Besides, tenders should have been invited prior to allotting the task, he observed.

Denying any bungling, he said since the work was satisfactory, the concerned officer was issued only a warning for alleged shortcomings. Alleging irregularities and non-transparency in the work and expressing discontent on the minister's reply, Ramlakhan Sharma (CPI-M)) and Dr IMP Verma (BSP) staged walkout.

The minister informed that under the scheme the task of imparting training of skill improvement to groups was given to city-based Arbind Vihar on a payment of Rs 34.58 lakh.

100 judges to tackle power cases in MP

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Mar 13: The State government is considering creation of 100 posts of district and sessions judges to deal with cases punishable under the Indian Electricity Act. Family courts are proposed in every civil district, says the Law and Legislative Affairs Department's Annual Administrative Report 2007-08 presented in the Assembly.

With the objective of providing speedy and inexpensive justice, the government plans to set up courts of civil judges and additional district and sessions judges at tehsil headquarters, said the report, adding that village courts would also be strengthened.

As part of infrastructure development, court buildings and residences for judges and other employees would be constructed, the report added.