The Madhya Pradesh government today announced a half-day leave for its staff and made arrangements to supply uninterrupted power in the State in view of the World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan at Mohali.
The announcement was made by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the State Assembly soon after the House began its scheduled business on the proposal moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Narottam Mishra.
The facility of half-day leave will not be however available to employees of treasury and other related departments in view of the approaching closure of the financial year.
“The government has purchased 1000 MW of power worth Rs 1.80 crore to provide uninterrupted power in the entire State from 2-11 pm so people can watch the match on their television screens,” Mr. Chouhan informed the House.
The Speaker Ishwardas Rohani also announced a half-day leave for employees of the Vidhan Sabha except for those assigned important duties after acting Leader of Opposition Choudhry Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi demanded that this facility enjoyed by legislators and Ministers may be extended to employees too.
In the event of India’s victory in the match members will be treated with a sumptuous meal, said Mr. Rohani while wishing good luck to Team India when few members wanted to know about the arrangements for distribution of sweets.
The Government has already adopted hockey and declared Malkhamb as the state’s game besides encouraging other games, Mr. Chouhan said on the occasion.