By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia called on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday at his official residence.
Those present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni, State Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sompal Shastri, Planning Department Secretary AP Shrivastava, Chief Minister’s Secretary Anurag Jain and Planning Department’s Additional Secretary Mangesh Tyagi.
Chief Minister Chouhan informed Ahluwalia that as per standards set for maintenance and improvement of 4800 km National Highways in the state, the Union Government should have released Rs 1100 crore while this year only Rs 92 crore has been released to Madhya Pradesh. This has led to deterioration in National Highways’ condition.
Ahluwalia assured the Chief Minister of getting more funds released from Government of India for upkeep of National Highways. Chouhan also urged Ahluwalia for more Central assistance for Tribal Sub-Plan in proportion to tribal area and tribal population in Madhya Pradesh.
He urged Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Ahluwalia to give the state a Himachal Pradesh-like special package to reduce dependence on agriculture and boost industrialisation for raising the income of people. This would lead to rapid industrialisation in backward districts of the state. More industrial clusters are being formed in Madhya Pradesh.
When Ahluwalia drew the attention of the Chief Minister towards reducing the number of cases pending in courts, Chouhan informed him that more than 300 judges are being appointed and 250 new courtrooms are being constructed for overcoming this problem. The suggestion of opening evening courts would also be put into practice. Pending cases are being rapidly disposed of through Lok Adalats. Efforts are being made for getting persons accused of serious crimes convicted from courts at the earliest with a view to instilling a sense of fear among criminals. Law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh is far better than other states.
Chief Minister Chouhan also informed Ahluwalia of various ongoing welfare schemes in the state including Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana, Gaon Ki Beti Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana and other schemes.
Ahluwalia praised these schemes and informed the Chief Minister of Central government’s scheme for insurance cover for common people and added that residents of Madhya Pradesh should also avail of the benefits of this scheme. ([email protected])