The ruling BJP government today faced an embarassment in Rajasthan Assembly when five of its MLAs blamed Panchayati Raj Minister Surendra Goyal for not including some villages of their constituencies in the reorganisation of Panchayats last year.
In his supplementary question, BJP MLA Heeralal Niwai claimed there were gross irregularities in the formation of new panchayats after the reorganisation and demanded that Piplu which has a tehsil office should be converted into a Panchayati Samiti with its headquarters there.
When Heeralal insisted and asked the Minister to make the announcement right away, the Speaker objected and asked him not raise his voice.
BJP MLA Narayan Singh Deval and Independent MLA R S Bhinder also alleged that the reorganisation of panchayats was not carried out in a fair manner and some villages in their constituencies were also neglected.
Home Minister G C Kataria, who held Panchayati Raj portfolio earlier, assured the House that the reorganisation of new panchayats was not partial and every objection and statement made by elected representatives to collectors were addressed before the announcement.
In a reply to Heeralal, the Panchayati Raj minister said that after 22 years, 723 Gram Panchayats and 47 Panchayat Samitis were formed following the reorganisation.
Bhinder alleged that his constituency was left out of the reorganisation despite having more than 50 gram panchayats and fulfilling the criteria.
BSP MLA Manoj Kumar also tried raising his voice over the issue but it was not allowed by Speaker Kailash Meghwal.
On a question by BJP MLA Sandeep Sharma, Agriculture Minister P Saini told the House that there was no proposal to open Central Agriculture University in Rajasthan as the Centre had rejected the state's proposal.
Minister of State for Revenue Amraram assured the House that no encroachment would be allowed around temples and religious places and anyone found guilty would be dealt with seriously.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Jitendra Kumar Gothwal, the MoS said in Raje's Budget proposal for FY 2014-15, a grant of Rs 20 cr was announced and on this basis a new plan would be formulated for restoration and renovation for religious tourism purpose.
The House also condoled the death of former Haryana Chief Minister Hukum Singh. A two-minute silence was observed after the Speaker passed a reference on Singh.
