Cong stages walkouts in MP House over VAT reduction, land deal

Bhopal: The Congress members created an uproar in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today on two different issues and staged walkouts. During the Question Hour, the Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh demanded that the government should reduce VAT on petrol and diesel as "their prices are the highest in Madhya Pradesh compared to other states."

In his response, the Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya stated the VAT on fuel cannot be slashed as the state government has limited sources for generation of revenue at its disposal. Unsatisfied with the reply, the Congress members staged a walkout. After they returned, party MLA Harsh Yadav told the House that the state exchequer suffered a loss of over Rs 32 crore in the sale of land in Sagar district. He claimed the price of the land was purposefully under-reported to evade actual stamp duty, which he said smacks of corruption.

Yadav demanded action against the Sagar Land Registry Officer in this regard. In his response, Malaiya dismissed Yadav's contention and read out the details including the price of the said property. He said no wrongdoing took place in the registry and refused to take any action against the concerned official. Unsatisfied with the minister's reply, the Congress members staged another walkout in the Assembly. The proceedings of the House are on.