Storm is brewing over renovating ministers' bungalows in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh government in has spent Rs 4 cr on repairing official bungalows of ministers when the state's anganwadi centres are on the verge of closing down

A storm is brewing in Madhya Pradesh over renovating ministers’ bungalows when the state’s anganwadi centres require funds urgently. These centres, mandated to take care of children and support them, are on the verge of closing down because the state government is yet to release Rs 40 crore for them. On the other hand, it has reportedly spent close to Rs 4 crore on repairing official bungalows of ministers in Bhopal, Public Works Department Minister Sajjan Singh Verma said in response to a question in the Assembly last week. The Opposition grabbed the opportunity. While the government says the previous regime left the treasury empty, it spent crores on sprucing up ministers' bungalows, said former minister and senior BJP legislator Narottam Mishra.

 

A breath of cool air

 

Hitachi Alphonso Smoothie? So, is the air-conditioner manufacturer getting into branded beverages or farming probably? Not really. In an interesting branding move this scorching summer, the Indian arm of the Japanese conglomerate has tied up with coffee maker Barista in the NCR to help promote the latter’s new range of cold beverages. So you will find co-branded table standees when you walk into a Barista outlet, with the Hitachi brand name prominently displayed. In a quid pro quo, the AC brand has fitted these stores with its cooling equipment.

 

Disciplining MLAs

 

Missing Assembly sessions will no longer be easy for MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. Assembly Speaker N P Prajapati has ordered if a member is absent citing illness, a medical certificate signed by a "medical board" has to be submitted. Not only that, if a member wants leave to attend a wedding or any other social gathering, the invitation card for this must be produced. With the new rules coming into force, a member rued, "We are representatives of the people, so why treat us as government servants?"