Madhya Pradesh honoured with “Fast emerging state” of the Country

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has been honoured with “Fast emerging state in category of big states” award. Instituted by IBN-7, the award was given away at “Diamond State Award” function in New Delhi by Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar on Saturday.
Selection of the award was done following close screening by the jury appointed by editorial board of IBN Network and Outlook magazine. The jury headed by former RBI Governor Dr. Vimal Jalan comprised former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramaniyam, Dr. Sebal Gupta, Asian Development Research Institute Secretary, Shri Damodaran, former SEBI Chairman Shri Gurcharan Das, writer and intellectual Dr. Bakul Dholaliya and former Director of IIM, Ahmedabad.
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that this a major achievement for Madhya Pradesh, which was once considered as backward. State’s growth rate now stands at 12 percent and agriculture growth rate 18.68 percent, the highest in the country. He informed that when he assumed power seven years ago, situation of power, roads and water was quite bad. Now, Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country to supply power for 24 hours to industries. Feeder separation work is progressing at rapid pace in the state. Following separation, power to industries and farmers will be supplied separately and 24-hour power will be made available in villages from 2013.
Shri Chouhan said that 85 thousand kilometre long roads have been constructed in the state so far. Area under irrigation has increased from seven lakh hectares to 21 lakh hectares. It will be increased to 25 lakh hectares next year. Rs. 425 crore Narmada-Kshipra-Simhastha Link Project is being implemented for turning Malwa region green again. The project will supply drinking water to 3 thousand villages in the region. Shri Chouhan said that entire Malwa region will be turned green in future by linking Parwati, Kali Sindh and Gambhir rivers with Narmada river. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan also referred to the award conferred to the state by the President recently. He informed that Madhya Pradesh stands third in the country in wheat procurement and will soon equal Punjab and Haryana. State’s e-procurement system has been lauded throughout the country.
A number of concrete steps have been taken to make agriculture profitable. At the same time, loans are being provided to farmers at zero percent interest. Farmers are being given Rs. 100 per quintal bonus on wheat procurement.
Shri Chouhan said that agro processing industry has also been promoted in the state. Policies have been framed for organic farming and food processing. Referring to industrial sector, Shri Chouhan gave information about MoUs worth Rs. 3 lakh 50 thousand crore signed at recent Global Investors Summit. He informed that textile hubs, automobile hub, cement factories and small and medium industries have been promoted in the state.
The Chief Minister informed that Beti Bachao Abhiyan has been launched in the state for women’s empowerment apart from launching a number of novel schemes like Ladli Laxmi Yojna, Gaon Ki Beti Yojna, formation of women’s battalion, special helpdesk for women in police stations, enhancement in upper age limit for government jobs etc. Referring to health sector, Shri Chouhan said that the State Government is providing free treatment and medicines to all the poor. Shri Chouhan also gave information about Higher Education Loan Guarantee Scheme started in the state. He threw light in detail on efforts made in skill development sector. He said that ITIs have been opened under PPP mode in the state. A number of other institutions have also been opened which will provide jobs to trained youths and remove unemployment.
Shri Chouhan also informed about state’s Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act. He said that services sought by common people are delivered to them within a prescribed time-limit.
Turning towards the Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan stressed the need for electoral reforms and demanded to hold Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections simultaneously. He described state funding as necessary for elections saying that frequent elections mar development process. This will help put a leash on use of black money in elections and corruption.
Expressing sorrow over the recent gangrape incident in Delhi, Shri Chouhan said that it has shaken entire country. Strict laws need to be framed and fast track court set up to deal with such incidents and punishing the culprits at the earliest. He said that there is need to change mindset of sexual exploitation in society.