`Chief Minister's Hour' begins in MP Assembly

`Chief Minister's Hour' begins in MP Assembly
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

BHOPAL, AUG 7: A new parliamentary tradition in the country, on the lines of "Prime Minister's Hour" in the House of Commons in Britain, was set in motion on Monday in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly with the introduction of the "Chief Minister's Hour".

The Chief Minister Digvijay Singh replied to questions from members on a large number of important issues without receiving prior notice.

The "hour" was initially scheduled to last only 30 minutes, but seeing the enthusiasm among members to put questions to the Chief Minister, its duration was extended to 60 minutes.

In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister's hour takes place every Wednesday from 3 pm but in the Madhya Prades Assembly, the Chief Minister's hour will be held every Monday from 11.30 am, soon after the Question Hour.

Soon after the hour began, Leader of opposition Dr GauriShankar Shejwar asked the Chief Minister questions about the Financial position of the state particularly with regard to debt and funds available for important things including health, education, road and irrigation.

Singh, in his reply, said the Financial position ofMadhya Pradesh was much better than that of several states and admitted that there were not enough funds for everything that needed to be done.