Basmati status to states paddy to be ensured: CM

Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that efforts are being made for Basmati status to state’s paddy like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and other states. For this, stand of Madhya Pradesh is being put forth firmly before APEDA. Shri Chouhan was addressing Antyodaya Mela at Shahganj in Sehore district today. He said farmers will benefit when paddy produced in the state is accorded status of Basmati.

Shri Chouhan said that arrangements are being made to distributed Rs. 3,500 crore relief to drought affected farmers. The Chief Minister said that now farmers have been given facility to repay only 90 percent of loans taken for seeds and fertilizers. Some people have doubts about this, but the state government is committed to implementing it. The Chief Minister urged farmers to bring diversity in crops. Fertility of soil has been affected due to growing crops of soybean and wheat continuously. Now, vegetables and spices need to be sown on such soil. Referring to concept of Smart Village, the Chief Minister said that efforts are being made to develop minimum one Smart Village under every Gram Panchayat. Smart Village must have roads, power, water, communication facility and clean toilet in every house. He directed officers to conduct door-to-door survey and provide facilities.

The Chief Minister said that in the first phase, housing facility will be provided to 800 families of Shahganj Nagar Panchayat at a cost of Rs. 40 crore. Arrangements are being made to provide housing facility to people in villages as per eligibility.

At Antyodaya Mela, the Chief Minister distributed benefits worth Rs. 31 crore 61 lakh 26 thousand under beneficiary-oriented schemes to 42,176 identified beneficiaries under Saadhikar Abhiyan.

Inauguration and foundation laying of over Rs. 21 crore development works

At Shahganj, the Chief Minister inaugurated houses for the poor costing about Rs 1016 lakh and laid foundation stones for 15 development works costing Rs. 1098 lakh. He said that sewage plan will be chalked out of Shahganj. It would cost about Rs. 35 crore. Shri Chouhan announced funds to construct 2 community halls. The buildings inaugurated by the Chief Minister included ITI costing Rs. 6 crore 33 lakh and Sub Tahasil building costing Rs. 83 lakh. Appointment letters were given to about 250 youths.

Revenue Minister Shri Rampal Singh, MLA Shri Vijaypal Singh, Zila Panchayat President Smt. Urmila Maretha and other public representatives were present on the occasion.