CM for Government: Citizen Joint Action to Accelerate Pace of Development

Bhopal: The Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for joint action of citizens and the Government to make Madhya Pradesh a top ranking state. He exhorted people to realize the vision of a Developed Madhya Pradesh. He said that the Aao Banaye Apna Madhya Pradesh drive seeks to enlist the cooperation of people. He was addressing the Republic Day function at Vidisha today. He unfurled the national flag and took salute of the ceremonial parade.

Extending greetings to people on republic day, Shri Chouhan urged them to resolve to see that benefits of development reach out to the neediest. He paid tributes to all those who made supreme sacrifices for the mother land.

Listing the milestone achievements, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to dedicate every moment to the development and prosperity of the State. He said that cooperation of every section is being ensured in development processes through different platforms like Aao Banaye Apna Madhya Pradesh drive. He urged the people to save and respect girl child, conserve water and protect greenery.

Describing as unprecedented the achievement of double digit growth rate in last seven years, Shri Chouhan attributed the achievement to the contribution of every section of the society. He said that the utilizing the strength of people’s energies and their enterprise in favour of State’s welfare is the realization of the Spirit of Republic in truest sense.

Shri Chouhan said that divisive forces cannot upset the peace because people are law abiding and believe in the rule of law. The State is observing zero tolerance policy against corruption and has created mechanisms like CM Helpline for government-citizen dialogues.

The Chief Minister said that the prestigious Krishi Karman Award is the result of enterprise of farming community and farmer-friendly policies. Referring to the decisions in favour of farmers and agriculture development Shri Chouhan said that increasing the use of advanced farm technologies and development market infrastructure for farm produces will be the priority now. The initiatives like Chief Minister Khet Tirth Yojana or Farm Pilgrimage Scheme and foreign study tours of farmers will prove motivating factors. He said that increased irrigation facilities and uninterrupted electricity supply helped the farmers immensely. In coming five years irrigation capacity would be increased to 40 lakh hectare. As many as 200 small irrigation projects will be completed by the year end.

Referring to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee’s vision of river linking, the Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is going to be the first state in the country to have realized the vision and very soon Narmada Kshipra Simhasth project will be dedicated to people.

The Chief Minister said that Kisan Laxmi Yojana started this year would encourage plantations on private lands. More than one crore electricity connections have been provided due to farmer-friendly policies. The state is getting 24 hour electricity. Now the efforts are being made to utilize the availability of power for spreading small and cottage industries in rural Madhya Pradesh by encouraging young population to start their own units. An ambitious target has been set up to increase power availability to 20 thousand MW. India’s biggest solar pant is coming up in Neemuch district.

Underlining the significance of road network in state’s growing economy, the Chief Minister said that 11000 km state highways will be made world class highways network. In coming five years, major district road network measuring 19000 km. will be upgraded. The world class emergency medical response system is being put up at state highways to check road accidents. He said that the urban infrastructure development sector has seen phenomenal investments. The urban poor would get housing units with five lakh housing units in next five years. Estimated Rs. 3000 crore would be invested on establishment of 11 yew industrial areas and existing 13 industrial areas. Besides, 48 lakh persons would be given training in various skills to make them employable under the Madhya Pradesh Skill Development Mission.

Underlining tourism potential, Shri Chouhan said that it is the top priority to ensure that tourism sector emerges as a major contributor to the state’s economy. Reiterating his commitment to providing basic facilities the Chief Minister said that 38000 habitations will have piped water supply by 2018. He called upon people to come forward and support government’s efforts to eradicate the practice of open defecation.

About education sector, Shri Chouhan expressed concern over quality of education and said that it will be improved. The Pratibha Parva programme will be extended to higher secondary schools. He said that making higher education job-oriented is a challenge. Skill development efforts will be maximized. Targets under the Chief Minister minority self employment scheme will also be increased. Residential problems for the tribal students going to urban areas for higher education will be solved.

Shri Chouhan resolved to ensure total health for all adding that Madhya Pradesh is going to be the fist state in the country to have provided health services guarantee by bringing 16 services under the Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act. The State is going to have three new government medical colleges.

Referring to the recently launched Swagatam Laxmi Yojana, Shri Chouhan said that it is a noble cause to pay respect to girl child at every stage of life. He said that the Chief Minister Women Empowerment Scheme will help the helpless and destitute women and those in crisis. The Chief Minister SOS Centres will help violence affected women.

Regarding Integrated Social Security Programme, Shri Chouhan said that this will ensure transfer of money direct into the accounts of beneficiaries and also help maintain transparency in various levels of implementation. The Senior Citizen Welfare Commission is scripting model rehabilitation policy. He also talked about some historic achievements in culture and sports sectors.