Digvijaya Singh, son & former MP brother in socially and economically backward census list

AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh, his son Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh and his uncle former MP Laxman Singh's names have been included in a census conducted in 2011 in their home town Raghogarh to identify socially and economically weak individuals.

The census is presently being used to identify beneficiaries for the Ujjwala scheme under which socially and economically weak residents are being given free LPG connections. The development questions the seriousness with which lists of beneficiaries for welfare schemes are drawn up.

The Raghogarh civic body had in 2011 conducted the census to identify socially and economically weak residents of the town. "It seems the people who conducted the survey have erroneously included the names. They will be removed immediately," said Collector, Guna, Rajesh Jain.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, in fact, hails from the family that once ruled over Raghogarh. His son Jaivardhan represents the constituency in the MP assembly.

The methodology adopted for surveys has been questioned numerous times by civil society activists who allege that because of such errors numerous deserving people are left out.

"There are many other people in Raghogarh town who are taxpayers and yet their names have been included in the list," said Jaivardhan Singh, adding that this shows the seriousness with which the lists are being made.

Former CM Digvijaya Singh in a series of tweets said, "GOMP and GOI includes my name my brother's name my son's name in BPL ! We all are income tax payees. We have neither applied nor taken any benefit under BPL. This is a conspiracy against me and my family. Those responsible should apologise and should be punished."