State to get Rs. 5,544 crore for upgradation of urban services and district roads
Bhopal : A delegation led by Asian Development Bank’s Vice Chairman W. Zhang met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here today. During the meeting, discussions were held on ADB sponsored projects in the state and possibilities of future collaboration. It was informed that out of 2 proposals for fiscal aid worth Rs. 7,920 crore including Rs. 4,920 crore for urban schemes and Rs. 3000 crore for upgradation of district main roads, sanction is in final stage for Rs. 5,544 crore. Besides, process is also underway for sanction of Rs. 3 thousand 421 crore against Rs. 4,888 crore for 2 other projects.
Chief Minister informed the delegation about roadmap of state’s development. He informed that speedy efforts are being made to double farmers’ income in next 5 years. Works pertaining to increase productivity, crop change, food processing, cultivation of flower, fruits, vegetables and other sectors allied to agriculture are being promoted. Efforts are also afoot to increase organic farming area and forest cover. He informed that the state is also a major producer of forest produce. He said that the state government wishes to make youths job providers and not job-seekers. Along with laying a network of small and cottage industries, a target has also been set to irrigate every field through ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme. He informed that works are being undertaken speedily to strengthen tourism industry and augment employment opportunities through it.
Chouhan informed that targets have been set to improve quality of education in social sector and expansion of better health facilities in rural areas. It is among state government’s priorities to bring bliss and happiness in people’s lives through both physical and spiritual progress. He informed that the state government is also alive to global environmental challenges. Throwing light on Hariyali Mahotsav, he informed that under the campaign, work is undertaken under the concept of one plant for one person. Informing about Narmada river purification, river link project, the Chief Minister said that efforts are on to supply water from water-surplus areas to water-deficient areas of the state.
Chief Minister expressed gratitude towards the bank for extending cooperation in development of basic infrastructure in the state. He said that the state has become power-surplus as a result of bank’s fiscal cooperation in power sector reforms and improvement in power transmission and distribution. Power is being supplied 24X7 in the state. He said that the state government had set targets for strengthening basic infrastructure 10 years ago which are yielding encouraging results now. State’s growth rate is in double digit for last 4 years and agriculture growth rate is over 20 percent.
Zhang said that it is his first visit to the state. He offered to extend bank’s collaboration in development projects and environmental challenges. He said that the bank can also have mutual cooperation in agriculture, vocational education and technical assistance.
The meeting was informed that schemes of Rs. 6,561 crore in energy and road sectors sponsored by ADB are under implementation in the state. Besides, discussions are also being held on 2 irrigation projects of about Rs. 4,888 crore including Kundaliya major irrigation project and over Rs. 3,421 crore assistance to improve quality of skill development in Madhya Pradesh.
ADB’s Deputy Country Director S.B. Sondza, Advisor to Vice Chairman Hyuwing Huang, Principal Secretary to CM S.K. Mishra, Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, Commissioner Institutional Finance Amit Rathore, members of the delegation and other officers were also present on the occasion.
