Assembly briefs

Budget orientation programme
Finance Minister Raghavji today pointed out that the state budget drafting process goes on for about six months therefore MLAs should start, from the lower level, the exercise of including issues related to their constituencies and schemes and follow-up at every level.
''The need of the hour is an understanding of a complex subject such as finance. No discrimination is adopted in the budget drafting process,'' he said while addressing the valedictory session of a two-day budget-related orientation programme for MLAs at the Assembly Secretariat.

Probe into murder of advocate
Home Minister Jagdish Deora today told the state Assembly that an inquiry would be held into the murder of an advocate in Sagar by an officer of the level of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
Raising the matter through call attention notice, Govind Singh Rajpur (Cong) said accused Pushpendra Singh, Kripal Singh, Arvind Singh and Bobby John had attacked advocate Vishnu Yadav with rods and swords on May 12.
He said a case was registered under general sections although Yadav received serious injuries. He died in a hospital in the state capital on June 19 after long treatment.
Rajput said a bandh was observed in Sagar to protest against the incident on June 19-20. Although a memorandum was submitted to the Governor, police arrested three culprits under general sections who got bail later. He alleged that the culprits were roaming freely. Police have not seized vehicle and weapons used during the crime.

Despite MoUs investors show disinterest
The State government today admitted in the Assembly that despite signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) some investors have been showing disinterest in investing in the state.
In a written reply to the query of Dr Govind Singh (Cong), Industry Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said that this was due to the professional and personal reasons.
He said that Rs 5.06 crore were spent in organising Investors Meet in Khajuraho, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar and Gwalior after November 2006.
The maximum amount Rs 3.30 cr was spent in Indore's two-day Investors Meet from October 26, 2007 while Gwalior Investors Meet costs Rs 85 lakh, Khajuraho rs 56 lakh, Jabalpur Rs 16 lakh and Sagar Rs 19.91 lakh.
The Minister said that in all the five Investors Meet, MoUs worth Rs 3,37,444 cr were inked and now despite MoUs investors are showing disinterest in investing.

Corruption in Mahidpur municipality alleged
Opposition Congress legislator Kalpana Parulekar today alleged corruption in Mahidpur municipality of Ujjain district and demanded action against concerned officials.
During the Question Hour, Ms Parulekar said Rs 26 lakh has to be collected from municipality chairman and chief municipality officer.
Urban Administration and Development Minister Babulal Gaur said no action could be taken for collection due to stay on the matter by the High Court. Gaur assured he would take steps to request to end stay on the matter.
Ms Parulekar said Gaur had removed a municipality official on her complaint but not taken any action. She said transfer did not amount to punishment.

River-cleansing in MP
Environment, Housing and Water Resources Minister Jayant Malaiya today informed the Assembly that the state's Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation was cleaning the Narmada in Hoshangabad district and Beehar in Rewa district under the National River Conservation Scheme.
Replying to the discussion on budgetary demands for his departments, the Minister said, ''EPCO is also building a roughly Rs 8 crore martyrs' memorial here.'' During the previous fiscal, the Housing Board developed 1,173 plots for weaker sections and the middle class. The department also constructed 340 abodes for tsunami-affected people at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.