Madhya Pradesh Supplement

[suchandra]

There seems quite some differences in governmental performance between Indian federal states.

 

Home > 2008 Issues > October 22, 2008

 

 

 

Madhya Pradesh Supplement

http://ceomadhyapradesh.nic.in/

http://www.mp.gov.in/

 

The Government Of Madhya Pradesh has not only improved the infrastructure of the state but also made all efforts to make the life of common man easier. Today, women, farmers, tribals, Scheduled Castes, artisans, sportspersons, small entrepreneurs and the deprived people speak with confidence to the Chief Minister in Panchayats called at Chief Minister Residence. It is the biggest and a unique exercise in the history of Independent India that hundreds of policy decisions of the state have been taken by the common people. The lok (public) is no longer a pichlaggu (blind follower) of the tantra (system) in the state. Public now decides the nature, direction, speed and form of the system. This strength of people was also used in monitoring the implementation of various schemes of the government. Immediately, corrective steps were taken if any complaint against the system was received, as janvani (people’s voice) is the devvani (God’s voice) for us.

 

 

 

 

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India.

 

 

 

For improvement in infrastructure, I would like to mention the power sector first. The government has taken exclusive steps to enhance the availability of electricity and improve the quality of power supply during the last four and a half years. During this period the projects for producing additional 3147 MW power were set up whereas the state had witnessed only 2991 MW power production during the last 50 years. During the year 2007-08 a total of 35,800 million units of electricity were supplied which is 32 per cent more than the 27100 million units supplied during the year 2002-03. Similarly, the maximum demand of 6684 MW power was met during the year 2007-08, which is 44 per cent more than the 4652 MW supplied during the year 2002-03. The transmission system has been enhanced up to 68 per cent during this period. The transmission loss was also reduced to 4 per cent from the previous 8 per cent in 2002-03. During the last three years, the rate of transformer fault was reduced to 14 per cent from the previous 24 per cent by installing new 30,000 distribution transformers. The tax imposed on Captive Power Units was completely abolished. The rates of electricity have drastically been reduced for the farmers and about 17 lakh temporary connections were provided during the last two years. More than three lakh agriculture pump consumers were benefited. The work of road construction and maintenance done by the state government has been historic in many ways. During the last five years, 40,000 km roads were constructed and improved. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country that invited private investment in road construction. In implementation of Pradhanmanti Gram Sadak Yojna too the state is ahead to other states.

 

The expansion of irrigation facilities is a matter of pride for us. The total budget for Water Resources Department was Rs 700 crore during the year 2003-04, which was doubled to Rs 1500 crore during the year 2007-08. Similarly the irrigation capacity was enhanced from 50,000 hectares during the year 2003-04 to over one-lakh hectares now. With the budget of Rs 10,000 crore the target of irrigation capacity is seven-lakh hectares under the 11th Five Year Plan. During the year 1998- 2003, the state government granted sanction to 296 new small irrigation projects. But during the last five years we sanctioned 1147 small irrigation projects. An amount of Rs 2000 crore will be spent on them and it is expected to irrigate about two-lakh hectare agriculture land every year. The construction of canal under the Rajghat Project is complete, which has developed additional 1,21,450 hectare irritation capacity. The construction of Bansagar dam is also complete which will irrigate about 50,000-hectare land. The project has started producing 425 MW hydropower. The Marikhera dam under the Sindh Project (second phase) has also started producing 60-MW electricity. The Khet Talab Yojna and wells have also enhanced the irrigation capacity.

 

With the objective of all-round development of Narmada Valley, the construction of big irrigation and hydropower projects has been accelerated. About 1,53,000 hectare irrigation capacity and 2356 MW hydropower production has been achieved in the last five years. Shahid Chandrasekhar Azad (Jobat) project that will irrigate about 984-hectare agriculture land in the tribal majority Dhar district, has been completed.

 

A govt. of farmers

Farmers are the backbone of our economy. We have made constant efforts to make the agriculture more profitable. A Kisan Mahapanchayat was organised in Bhopal with the objective of establishing direct dialogue with the farmers. Besides the subsidy given on different schemes, we have decided to give additional 30 per cent subsidy to encourage better utilization of irrigation water. Besides the subsidy given by the Government of India on construction of a five cubic meter capacity biogas plant, the state government gives Rs 2500 per plant as an additional subsidy. Now the government has decided to set up one Kisan Gyan Kendra in all 313 Blocks fully equipped with computer with Internet facility so that the farmers could know the state-of-the-art agriculture technology. Now the ordinary farmers will be granted a subsidy of Rs 24,000 for digging tube wells. The subsidy given on the construction of Balram pond has been enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000. The small farmers who wish to purchase a diesel or electricity pump would be granted subsidy up to 50 per cent (maximum Rs 10,000). The rate of interest charged on the loan from any cooperative bank has been reduced from seven per cent to five per cent w.e.f April 2008. The 2094 primary agricultural credit cooperative societies were provided financial help of Rs 605 crore. Such societies distributed short-term loans of Rs 1274 crore to the farmers during the year 2003-04. But during the year 2007-08, the farmers were distributed loans of Rs 3194 crore which his two and a half time more than the previous limit. This year we wish to provide short-term loan of Rs 4500 crore to farmers. The farmers were issued 31 lakh credit cards so that they could get loan easily from the cooperative societies. The Food Processing Policy has already been promulgated for the benefit of the farmers. The National Agriculture Development Scheme was started in 18 districts. We provided the bonus of Rs 100 per quintal to farmers on purchase of wheat so that they could get fair price of their crops. This year a total of 23,31,000 lakh metric tonne wheat was purchased from the farmers which is a record.

 

The farmers who suffered loss due to natural calamities were distributed relief of Rs 344 crore. The notable point is that the government included draught also in the list of natural calamities and distributed relief up to Rs 156 crore. We have even helped the farmers in case any forest animal destroyed their crops. Our objective is to ensure that the farmers should feel beneficial and proud while doing farming.

 

Youth employment

Youth are the future of the state. It is for the first time that a comprehensive Youth Policy was formulated. The ban imposed on recruitment of government jobs was lifted. Besides the government jobs, opportunities of employment were created in other sectors also. We have energised the youth in the field of sports, education and employment. Academies of 13 sports were opened in Bhopal from July 2007. The sportspersons belonging to these Academies won 415 medals at state, national and international level. It includes five international, 180 national and 230 state medals. The number of trainees at training institutes was doubled in order to provide good opportunities of employment in Computer Animation and Tourism. This scheme was extended up to district level and the regions of Sagar, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Gwalior and Reeva were selected for it. The money provided to sportspersons was enhanced from Rs 2000 to 7000 annually. Apart from the Samman Nidhi being provided to internationally fame sportspersons was enhanced from Rs 5000 per month to Rs 10,000 per month throughout their life. Keeping in view the historic success of the National Games held in 2007 the award money for the winners was doubled. Under the PPP scheme a sports village is being established in Bhopal with the budget of Rs 1000 crore. In order to strengthen lower structure of education, 25,968 Shiksha Guarantee Shalas were upgraded to primary level and 14,564 primary schools were upgraded to middle schools. Not only this, 1176 high schools, 215 higher secondary schools, 2132 middle schools and 919 satellite schools were sanctioned this year. It is a unique achievement in the history of the state. The success rate of the government school students in the exams conducted by the Madyamik Shiksha Mandal was better than the reputed private schools this year.

 

Honouring the Vanvasis

We are on top in the country in implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (recognized forest rights) Act. We are committed to restore both the samman (respect) and saaman (goods) of tribal. I have started handing over Right’s Letter to tribals from Mandala. Not even the first phase of this scheme has been completed in other states, but Madhya Pradesh has started handing over Right’s Letters also. The government wants tribal should get the right to live and earn livelihood at the very land on which they are living since generations. Leaving the serious forest offences, all the forest offences are being withdrawn and all their seized goods are being returned to them.

 

The prices for tendu leaves have been enhanced from Rs 450 to 550 per sack for the year 2008. The bonus amount, which was 50 per cent of earned profit in the collection period, was also enhanced to 60 per cent from the year 2007. The ban imposed on collection of seeds was also lifted and the collection rate was enhanced from Rs 450 to Rs 1000 per quintal. Providing better educational facilities to the new generation of Scheduled Castes is our firm determination. The money provided to the girls under the Girls Literacy Scheme was doubled. We sanctioned four-times more amount for the uniforms. The annual scholarship provided to the students studying in 9th and 10th classes was doubled and the additional scholarship provided to the students studying in 11 and 12th classes is now more than double. Similarly, the money provided to the hostel students of Medical and Engineering is also now more than double. A Kaamdhenu Integrated Tribal Dairy Development Project was started for tribal families of 11 tribal dominated areas of the state.

 

Labour and artisan-friendly schemes

The labourers, sculptures, artisans and artists of the state are our asset. We have promulgated the new Labour Policy for the laboureres. Now, under the Mukhyamantri Mazdoor Surakasha Yojna the government would bear expenses of a woman’s delivery in a family of labourer. Apart from it, the government would provide a fixed amount equivalent to one and a half months wage to the woman at the time of delivery. Not only this, her husband would also be granted a fixed amount equivalent to half-month wage, so that he can look after the woman properly. The scheme also includes scholarship to school going children as well as help at the time of marriage. The Aam Adami Bima Yojna was started for the landless rural labourers from April this year. An amount of Rs 184 crore was provided for the betterment of construction labourers of unorganised sector. A total of eight welfare schemes were launched for them. The minimum wage was revised after a long gap. A total of 21368 weavers and 6000 sculptures were insured under the health insurance scheme. We instituted Vishwakarma Puraskar to encourage the traditional sculptures. The money provided to the sculptures and the weavers for tool-kit was doubled. The provision of Rs 17 crore was made for purchasing the instruments by the artist groups. Safai Kamgar Board and Mati Kala Board have also been constituted.

 

Chief Minister Annapurna Yojna

The state government is standing as defence against the price hike for economically deprived people. Every weaker family is being provided 20 kg wheat and rice on every ration card at the rate of Rs 3 per kg and Rs 4.5 per kg respectively under the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojna. Controlling price rise is not under the state government’s limit, but we are spending Rs 255 crore for food security of economically deprived people. This year also Madhya Pradesh is leading in the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. More than one crore people were issued job cards under this scheme. A total of 1,58,128 projects were completed and work is on at 2,66,172 projects. The district poverty alleviation scheme was implemented in 2,900 villages of 14 districts, which has benefited 56,088 groups.

 

A Commission was constituted for the betterment of economically deprived people of general category. Many scholarship schemes for education of such children were implemented from this academic session following the recommendations of this Commission. A Higher Education Loan Guarantee Fund was created to help the talented students of weaker sections.

 

An effort to make the state an education hub

A Private University Act has been enacted. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed to set up 19 private universities under this Act. Madhya Pradesh is the state, which has enacted a law to regulate the fee structure of professional education also.

 

The facilities for technical education were expanded all over the state. The number of Engineering Colleges increased up to 142. Eight government polytechnics were converted to co-education. About 500-acre land was identified in Bhopal for creating Special Education Zone. Educational institutions are being equipped with all facilities under the two major educational schemes—Eklavya and Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yojna with a view to provide modern education to the students of SCs and STs. Under the Shilpkar Prashishan Yojna, a total of 14,216 trainees (against the target of 11400) were admitted during the year 2007 and this year we hope to admit around 18,000 trainees.

 

The Civil Aviation Department has permitted the Air Strips of the state to run training activities like pilot training, aviation engineering etc. It would provide new opportunity of employment to the youth. The government has decided to provide scholarship to 30 candidates of SCs and 30 candidates of STs for seeking training of Air Hostage and Flight Steward. The government has set new record of inviting investment in the state. The setting up of industries would create employment opportunities for the youth.

 

Common man has always been in the centre of all our schemes. I judge the development with only one criterion—improvement in the life of the common man. People talk about human face of development, but Madhya Pradesh practically materialised it. We are committed to continue the people-oriented administration. The journey of development of the state would not stop. We resolve to ensure happiness on the faces of the people of all sections.

 

Women empowerment

During the last a few years, special efforts were made to improve the living standard of mothers and sisters of the state. It has been our endeavor that the mentality of considering the girls a burden should end and they should be accepted as a boon. That is why we have started many schemes for their welfare. Such schemes were even adopted by various other states also. Over 71,000 girls have been benefited under the Ladali Lakshmi Yojna. More than 73,000 weddings have taken place under the Chief Minister Kanyadan Yojna. The budget for providing nutritious diet through Anganwaris was tripled during the last three years. A new Usha Kiran scheme was launched to protect and support the women and children from domestic violence. Another scheme, Tejaswani Rural Women Empowerment Scheme, was launched for the women. It is after 35 years that 20 kinds of foods are being served in Anganwaris instead of one dalia. The Government of India too has praised our schemes of godbharai, Anna prashan, Janmadiwas and Kishor Balika Diwas. We have sanctioned about 20,000 new Anganwari Kendras. It is for the first time that the Anganwari workers and Sahayikas have been granted Rs 1000 and 500 per month respectively. Acharya Vidyasagar Gosamvardhan Yojna is being launched to provide an employment to the economically deprived women belonging to general category of rural areas. Under this scheme every selected women would be provided two milk-giving cows. Our commitment for the welfare of women can be gauged from the fact that we have doubled the budget for Women and Child Department during the last four years. We have regularly shown our commitment towards the welfare of government employees. We have constituted a State Pay Commission. Efforts were made to improve the salary structure and other allowances of the administrative officers.

 

An initiative to eradicate untouchability

The prize-amount to be given to Panchayats for outstanding performance in eradication of untouchability and for development of Scheduled Tribes was enhanced from Rs 5000 to one lakh. The encouraging money for the couples doing inter-caste marriage was enhanced from Rs 10,000 to 50,000. This was done to encourage untouchability alleviation. Sixty new hostels were started from this academic session for the students of Scheduled Castes in order to provide better educational residential facilities. Similarly, 51 hostels were started for the children of nomadic, semi-nomadic and Vimukta communities. The money given to the students of Scheduled Tribes living in hostels was also increased. Now the girls get Rs 525 instead of previous Rs 360 and the boys get Rs 500 instead of Rs 350. The scholarship amount for Scheduled Caste students studying in 9th and 10th classes was doubled. Similarly, the money given to the girls studying in 11th class under Kanya Saksharta Protsahan Yojna was enhanced from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000. Our government increased the budget amount for betterment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes three times during the last five years. It was enhanced from Rs 717 crore in the year 2002-03 to Rs 2180 crore in the year 2008-09. The money spent for the welfare of tribal was increased from Rs 1263 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 3142 in 2008-09.