The Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government are on a collusion course, as the BJP-ruled state government has issued an order suggesting Union ministers and Central bureaucrats to take prior permission before visiting anywhere in the state.
The Madhya Pradesh government, in its official communication to the Centre, had informed that there were instances where Central ministers held meetings with district officials or took part in foundation-stone functions and inauguration of buildings without any intimation to the state.
Making issue out of such visits, the Madhya Pradesh government, in its order said, “it has been decided that information should be given and prior permission must be taken from the state government before organising any such event or meeting which have connections with the state government or state government-run schemes.”
However, irked by such an order, the home ministry, in turn, shot off a letter to the Madhya Pradesh government saying such an order is “contrary” to the established norms and practices.
“It is a considered view of the government of India that import of the said circular amounts to restricting the free movement of the Union ministers and other dignitaries to and within the state of Madhya Pradesh, who intend to visit/are invited for public ceremonies relating to various government schemes and activities involving interaction with the local administration,” the home ministry letter said.
The state government has made an attempt to down play the circular, and as a response to the letter it said, “The new circular has nothing to do with VIP visits per se, and only relates to functions involving the state government at the local level or meeting of local officials.”