On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday, Opposition Congress MLAs staged a walk out protesting against state revenue minister’s reply on the issue of non-payment of compensation to 12 tribal villagers for acquisition of their land in Anuppur district.
The Congress MLAs were not satisfied with revenue minister Karan Singh Verma’s reply. They were agitated as the land of the tribals had been taken without giving them compensation under the rehabilitation policy.
The walkout by the Congress MLAs, led by leader of Opposition Ajay Singh, came when most of the listed business had been completed.
After the Congress members had lodged their protest, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani announced the Speaker’s panel and allowed the social justice minister to make a statement.
It was before lunch-break that the House was adjourned till Tuesday.
When the House met on Monday morning, the newly elected BJP MLA from Jabera, Dashrath Singh Lodhi, was administered the oath. This was followed with the announcement of Mr Ajay Singh’s selection as the new Leader of Opposition. The Speaker read out the information about 18 Bills that were passed by the Assembly during the last session and have received the governor’s assent.
At the outset, the House recalled the services of ex-MLAs and other dignitaries, who passed away recently. The members also offered tributes to Sathya Sai Baba and paid condolences to those who died in the disastrous train accident on Sunday.