Become active partner in state’s progress and development

Bhopal: On the occasion of 64th Republic Day, Governor Shri Ram Naresh Yadav unfurled the National Flag and took salute at Lal Parade Ground here today. He exhorted state’s people to become active partner in the development and progress of Madhya Pradesh and country and give their best contribution in lifting people’s living standard. Shri Yadav said that our Constitution gives us fundamental rights. At the same time, it also underlines our duties towards the nation. It is the need of the hour that we commit ourselves to discharging our duties towards the nation. The Governor said that small efforts can lead to major changes. We have to keep attached to our roots. Underscoring government’s result-oriented and meaningful efforts, he said that we should not forget all known and unknown martyrs due to whose sacrifices we are breathing in open air of independence.
The Governor said that democracy becomes meaningful only when people are made partner in government’s decisions, programmes and schemes. For concretising this concept, 25 panchayats have been held in the state for direct dialogue with various sections of society to hold discussions on their problems where important decisions have been taken keeping their suggestions in view. This year, panchayats of students, street vendors, fishermen, senior citizens, lawyers as well as recent panchayat of youths have been held. He said that results of constant development of social and physical infrastructure carried out during last some years have started to come. Several independent reviewers have placed Madhya Pradesh among fast-developing states. During 11th Five-Year Plan, Madhya Pradesh’s average growth rate was 10.2 percent while national average was 7.9 percent. During last fiscal, the state’s agriculture growth rate was 18.91 percent, which was the highest in the country. Adjudging Madhya Pradesh as best in food grains production in the country, the President conferred Krishi Karman Award of the Union Government to Madhya Pradesh recently. Credit of this award goes to policy-related decisions of the State Government as well as farmer’s hard work.
The Governor said that our schemes and programmes have infused a new life in agriculture. Farmers are now getting cooperative agriculture loans at zero percent interest. About 35 lakh 12 thousand farmers are expected to get short-term agriculture loans. Kisan Cards have been distributed to 35 lakh farmers in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country where seed producing cooperative societies have been constituted to increase availability of seeds. So far, 2 thousand 48 societies have been constituted. E-procurement system has been introduced in the state for procurement of wheat on support price. As a result, record procurement of 85 lakh metric tonnes of wheat was made. Our efforts for procurement and storage of wheat and paddy have been lauded by Unique Identification Authority of India and Food Corporation of India. We have arranged direct cash transfer to farmers’ bank accounts. We have chalked out warehousing and logistics policy. Atal Jyoti Abhihan has been launched in the state to make available 24-hour power for non-agriculture and eight hours for agriculture purpose.
Governor Shri Yadav said that Mukhyamantri Teerth-Darshan Yojna has been launched to take senior citizens on pilgrimages. The government is arranging senior citizens’ pilgrimages on its expenses. Over 32 thousand senior citizens have been taken to various centres of pilgrimage through trains under the scheme. He said that now 52 services of 16 departments are being made available under Public Service Delivery Guarantee Scheme. So far, one crore 57 lakh persons have availed benefit of this facility. The state has been conferred world most prestigious UN Public Service Award-2012 for initiating strong and effective steps for ensuring good governance. A number of states in the country have replicated these measures taken by Madhya Pradesh. He said that 2012 had been a year of spectacular successes for Madhya Pradesh in information technology sector. Rs. 150 crore Crystal IT Park was started at Indore and Gwalior IT Park was also inaugurated. State Data Centre has started functioning at Bhopal. As many as 476 MoUs worth Rs. 3 thousand crore were signed at Indore Global Investors Summit. Information technology has been extended upto development block level in Madhya Pradesh. Shri Yadav said foundation stone for the country’s first cow sanctuary was laid in Susner tahsil of Shajapur district. Milk production in the state has also been double that of the national average. Fish productivity in the state at the rate of 25 kg per hectare was also double that of the national average, which stood at 12 kg per hectare.
He said that the state has been successful in maintaining its forest cover. Madhya Pradesh has received award of the United Nations Environment Programme and Green Globe Foundation Award of The Energy & Resource Institute. This year, bonus to tendupatta collectors has been increased from Rs. 650 to Rs. 750 per standard bag. Forest dwellers have been permitted to collect chironji, honey, mahul leaves, aonla and other forest produce including medicinal plants without any fees. Support prices have been announced on procurement of harra, Mahua fruit, Mahua stone, neem stone, karanj seed, lac and achar guthli with a view to ensuring proper prices of forest produce. Progress of patta distribution work in the state under the Forest Rights Act has been lauded at the national level. State’s Eco-Tourism Board received ISO Award for high-quality management. The President gave away four awards to the state in tourism sector.
The Governor said that significant works for infrastructure development are underway in the state. About 90 thousand kilometer long roads have been constructed and repaired. Works to the tune of Rs. 30 thousand crore are going on under PPP mode. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, 422 new road measuring 1325 kilometers were constructed in the state this year at a cost of Rs. 334 crore 20 lakh. So far, 1943 kilometer long 1015 roads and 7032 culverts were also constructed under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojna. Under Panch Parmeshwar Yojna launched in the state this year, adequate funds are being made available to all 23008 villages as per population for construction of CC roads and works pertaining to hygiene and environmental conservation. He said that Madhya Pradesh is pioneer in the country in constructing permanent assets of public utility under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act. This year, 732 lakh mandays worth employment was provided to 24 lakh 16 thousand needy persons in the states.
The Governor said that Maryada Abhiyan has been launched to safeguard women’s dignity. Under the campaign’s first phase, 12331 villages were freed from the curse of open-area defecation. Under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, about 3 lakh domestic toilets have been constructed in the state’s rural areas. The President conferred Nirmal Panchayat Award to 212 Gram Panchayats of the state. United Nations Rio Earth Summit Award was bestowed on Madhya Pradesh for water sanitation innovations. Works carried out toward women’s empowerment in Madhya Pradesh earned global encomiums. Recently, women’s upper age for recruitment in civil service has been increased to 45 years. Beti Bachao Abhiyan is being implemented since one year for improving women’s ratio in population. I appeal to people to gird up their loins for ensuring equal rights and justice in society to women and not to discriminate between sons and daughters. So far, 13 lakh girls have become Ladli Laxmis under the Ladli Laxmi Yojna in the state. The State Government has also decided to provide insurance cover to the girls benefited under the scheme. Under Sabla Yojna underway in 15 districts of the state, 17 lakh 33 thousand girls of 11 to 18 years of age are being empowered for improving their health and nutrition status and being imparted skill development training. So far, marriages of 2.25 lakh girls have been solemnised under the Mukhyamatri Kanyadan Evam Nikah Yojna. In a nation-wide survey, Madhya Pradesh has been described as guiding force for other states in girls education. Women’s Helpline has been launched in entire state from January 1, for ensuring immediate action on women’s complaints. A separate officer has been appointed in each district for women’s empowerment. Arms licences of persons found guilty of crimes against women will be confiscated.
Madhya Pradesh stood first in the country by registering over 14 lakh labourers in Mukhyamantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojna and quantum of expenditure on schemes to extend benefits to labourers. Recently, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Free Medicine Distribution Scheme has been launched in the state. Under the scheme, free medicines are being made available to patients at government hospitals. Multi-dimensional works are being done in the state to promote, preserve, expansion and development of culture and literature. Buddhist and Indic Studies University’s foundation stone has been laid with a view to ensuring promotion of Buddhist philosophy, views and discipline apart from mutual coordination between other Indian languages and Asian viewpoints.
As many as 16 sports academies have been established in the state to promote sports. Budget of the Sports Department has been increased 25 fold during last nine years. Madhya Pradesh Sports Authority has been constituted. For promoting sports activities in rural areas, sanction has been given to 11045 Gram Panchayats to develop sports grounds costing Rs. 361 crore. Mukhyamantri Khiladi Kalyan Kosh has been instituted. Prize money has been doubled for medal winners of national games.
Governor Shri Yadav said that it is a matter of pride for Madhya Pradesh that traditions of respect to all religions, unity and harmony have remained intact in the state. Under every circumstances and in any case, state’s development and peace loving citizens have maintained unity and fraternity. For this, they deserve all praise.