Development of Madhya Pradesh not motivated by politics or election : CM

Bhopal: Replying to debate on the Governor’s address, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that comprehensive development made by the State Government in Madhya Pradesh is neither motivated by politics nor election. We do not believe in winning election by management or manipulation, but practice politics for the sake of public welfare. Proving opposition’s allegation totally baseless, he dwelt in detail with proofs on development and welfare works underway in the state. He said that tradition of respect to all religions has been strengthened in the state. Not a single riot was allowed, nor will be allowed. Shri Chouhan described ideological difference as natural in democracy saying that politics should not come in the way of development. Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will be a pioneer state among developed states in next 5 years.
Relief to farmers
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that a proposal is under consideration to increase relief amount from Rs. 8,500 to Rs. 10000 per hectare on crop loss due to natural calamities. Relief amount on loss to orange and lemon crops will be increased from Rs. 7 thousand to Rs. 8 thousand. Relief amount on loss to Paan Barejas will be increased from Rs. 25 thousand to Rs. 28 thousand per hectare.
The Chief Minister announced that surcharge on outstanding electricity bills of farmers will be fully waived. Of the remaining amount, 50 percent will be paid by the State Government and farmers will be provided facility to pay remaining 50 percent amount in ten installments.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is pioneer in construction of roads. Referring to Sidhi-Singrauli Road, he said that it is a National Highway. Madhya Pradesh had sent a proposal to construct it to the Union Government, which was approved on October 10, 2011 and tender permission was given on March 31, 2012. Delay has been caused on the part of the Centre.
State will be number one in country in next 5 years
Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will be the number one among developed states in the country in next 5 years. He said that State Gross Domestic Production has doubled and receipts have increased four-fold. The per capita income has increased three-fold. Madhya Pradesh is no longer a backward state. It has joined the select group of develing states.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh government has left no stone unturned for farmers’ welfare. Union Government is anti-farmer. Fertiliser rates have been increased to Rs. 1275 per kilogram. Diesel price is constantly increasing. He said that if the Opposition describes Krishi Karman Award as fake, it is insult to the Prime Minister and the President. It is also insult to hard working farmers, who put in hard labour day in and day out. He said that only Madhya Pradesh has achieved 18.9 percent agricultural growth rate in the country.
FDI not allowed in Madhya Pradesh
Shri Chouhan said the concept of procurement of food grains on minimum support price has been introduced by the Union Government. If the Opposition levels charges of looting farmers’ crops, then the same charge can be levelled against other states as well. He said that the Centre had fixed Rs. 1285 per quintal as the support price for wheat. Madhya Pradesh government gave bonus of Rs. 100 per quintal. Now, Rs. 150 per quintal bonus is being given. Refuting the Opposition’s charge of nexus with businessmen, he said that carrying out business with honesty is not a crime. He said that direct foreign investment will not be allowed in Madhya Pradesh in the interest of farmers and businessmen. He said that the State Government believes in constructive and development-oriented politics and politics of public welfare.
Unprecedented expansion of irrigation facilities
The Chief Minister said that unprecedented expansion of irrigation facilities has been made in the state. Last year, 21 lakh hectare was irrigated. This year, 24 lakh 50 thousand hectare has been irrigated and area under irrigation will be increased upto 25 lakh hectare. During previous government irrigation projects remained pending as long as 30 years. Our government ensured that irrigation facilities are expanded in all regions of the state. Narmada-Kshipra Link Project has been launched. Soon, Narmada water will be taken to Kali Sindh and Gambhir rivers. A former Chief Minister of the state had described this work as impossible, but we have made it possible. In the state, a record has been created by completing 1400 irrigation projects.
Power generation capacity increased to 10 thousand MW
Referring to power, the Chief Minister said power generation capacity was only 2900 MW during the Congress government and total availability of power was 4000 MW after including Central share. Now, the state’s power generation capacity has been increased to 10 thousand megawatts. Work on Khandwa power plant is progressing fast. Essar and other projects will start power generation soon. Jabalpur and Mandla districts have started getting power for 24 hours and all the villages in the state will get the same from May.
Rs. 150 per quintal bonus on wheat procurement this year
Shri Chouhan said the State Government is committed to improving condition of farmers and agriculture. Farmers will have to deposit electricity bills only twice a year at the flat rate of Rs. 1200. Subsidy given to save farmers from the effect of increased power tariffs will be increased to Rs. 2000 crore. Surcharge on outstanding electricity bills will be completely waived. Fifty percent of the original bill will be deposited by the State Government and facility will be given to farmers to deposit the remaining 50 percent amount in 10 installments.
Short-term loans to be converted in medium-term – interest will be zero
The Chief Minister announced that recovery of short-term loans will be suspended and they will be converted to medium-term loans without levying any interest. Shri Chouhan informed that a number of facilities have been provided to farmers including loans on zero percent interest rate. Now, farmers instead of ministers and officers will undertake foreign agriculture study tours. He said that the State Government has decided that relief will be given if crops loss is more than 25 percent whereas as per the norms set by the Union Government relief is given on above 50 percent damage. He said that accurate assessment of crop loss will be made and those indulging in irregularity in this task will be punished. He said that quantum of compensation against loss to crops due to natural calamities has been increased. It has been increased fromRs. 8,500 to Rs. 10 thousand per hectare. Relief amount for loss to orange and lemon crops has been increased from Rs. 7 thousand to 8 thousand. Relief on loss to Paan Barejas has been increased from Rs. 25 thousand to Rs.28 thousand per hectare. Maximum limit of relief has been increased from Rs. 40 thousand to Rs. 50 thousand. Along with relief, the benefit of crop insurance will also be ensured to them.
Industrial investment efforts successful
Referring to industrial investment, he said that now industries are being set up in the state. Production has started in MoUs worth 84,000 crore in information technology, construction and textile sectors. Works are underway on MoUs worth Rs. one lakh 10 thousand crore. He said that within 100 days of Indore Global Investors Summit, land has been provided for 102 small and 161 big industries. He said that multi-dimensional efforts have been made to invite foreign investment. Shri Chouhan described industrial development as vital along with agricultural development.
He said that skill development centres have been opened. ITIs have been opened so that so that youths become able to obtain employment in industries. Mukhyamantri Yuva Contractor Yojana has been chalked out for engineering pass outs. The government will give 20 percent margin money for setting up industries worth Rs. 50 thousand.
State committed to ensure women’s dignity
Shri Chouhan said that welfare schemes for the poor and Beti Bachao Abhiyan are the campaigns for changing people’s mindset. Even a single crime against women is shameful. We are committed to ensure women’s safety and dignity. He said that even if a single person is ailing, he must be provided treatment facility.
Patta of land
Shri Chouhan said that patta will be given to poor people on the land they have been occupying as on December 2012. He said that budgetary allocations for SC, ST and backward classes have been increased manifold and educational qualities have also been increased.
Now Jhulela Jayanti also at CM’s residence
He said that support price will be announced for small forest produce. Pattas have also been given to one lakh 82 forest dwellers. For them, Mukhyamantri Swa-Rozgar Yojna is also being implemented. Referring to tradition of respect to all religion, he said that festivals of all religions are being held at CM’s residence. Now, Sant Jhulelal Jayanti will also be celebrated.
He said that the practice of open air defecation would be eliminated. For this Maryada Abhiyan is being carried out. Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana has been introduced to provide houses to the poor, he added.
Referring to the expansion and upgradation of health facilities in the state the Chief Minister said that the number of 108 ambulance vehicles would be increased from 124 to 604. He said that the last few years have seen remarkable improvement in teaching and learning in government schools. Most of the students who secured over 85 percent marks in XII examination are from government schools. He said that law and order situation is better in the state. As many as 27 thousand 730 posts have been added from year 2002 to 2013 in the state. In last year alone over 11 thousand posts have been sanctioned. Dacoits have been eliminated and the SIMI network has been destroyed. He said that the Madhya Pradesh police is doing commendable work. The state government pays full respect to the martyrs. The honorarium of Home Guard jawans has been increased to Rs. 300 per day.
Weeding out Corruption
The Chief Minister said that effective measures have been taken to weed out corruption in the state. However it cannot be fully eliminated without improvement in the system. A number of steps have been taken for systemic reforms. In this context he referred to e-tendering, e-payment, e-measurement etc. He said that transparency has been brought in the recruitment process and there is no room for irregularities in the examinations conducted by the Professional Examination Board for recruitment on various posts. The Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act has been enforced in right earnest and 41 more services would be brought under its ambit soon, he added.
Shri Chouhan said that no corrupt person would be spared. Properties of 3 persons have been confiscated and 13 cases for confiscation have been referred to the court.
The Chief Minister said that ideological differences are natural in democracy and elections are contested on it basis, built development should be kept above politics. All the political parties and sections of society should come forward to be active partner in development process.