By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Dr. Balram Jakhar has termed as necessary active participation of all sections of society in the implementation of schemes for the betterment of the state.
Dr. Jakhar was addressing a massive public meeting at the Lal Parade ground here today on the occasion of 58th anniversary of Indian Republic after unfurling the national flag. He exhorted the residents of the state to work unitedly with communal harmony for the prosperity of the state.
Dr Jakhar said that Madhya Pradesh is touching new heights of progress and development by moving shoulder to shoulder with the country as well as the world. Today, Madhya Pradesh is known as the fastest progressing state in the country. Most important point of its development is that it is being done by maintaining a balance between physical infrastructure and social development. Equal attention is being given to agriculture and industry. Suggestions are being sought by organising Panchayats of concerning people before chalking out plans and schemes for various groups and sections of society.
MP Governor taking salute of Republic Day parade
He said ” I am taking pride in saying that Madhya Pradesh, which was once ridiculed for its poor roads, is now being known for its smooth and good roads. During the last four years, the state government has constructed and improved 32,000 kilometre roads. Besides, sanction has been given for construction of 114 large bridges and five railway over bridges. These efforts have opened new vistas of progress in the state”.
Making a mention of agriculture, Governor Dr. Jakhar said that the economy of Madhya Pradesh is based on agriculture. Solid efforts have been undertaken in the state to make agriculture as a business of profit. Holding of Agri Business Meet is definitely a meaningful initiative in the direction of providing opportunity to farmers to get better prices for their products. Ten new districts have been included in National Horticulture Mission. For providing relief to drought-hit people complex rules and regulations prevalent since the British rule, have been amended. Under the scheme of providing Kisan Cards to farmers, 30 lakh Kisan Cards have been provided. New criteria for declaring an area as drought-hit have been formulated for the benefit of farmers and villagers. For providing social security to farmers, “Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana” has been implemented.
MP Governor taking salute of Republic Day parade
Dr. Jakhar informed that top priority has been given to irrigation during the last four years. During this period irrigation facility has been extended to four and half lakh hectare area. Projects like Ban Sagar dam, Rajghat canal project, Mahi sub-dam and Maan dam, which were lying pending for the last many years have been completed. With the help of NABARD, funds to the tune of Rs. 2420 crore have been received for six large, 22 medium and 680 small irrigation projects. Two-and-half- fold increase has been effected in the irrigation budget during the last four years.
The Governor said in his address that well-planned efforts were made by the state government for overcoming power crisis. Last year 500 megawatt extension unit of Birsinghpur Thermal Power Plant and Manikhera Hydel Power Plant’s 20 megawatt unit were started. This year the maximum demand of 6500 megawatt power was met which is 7 per cent more than the last year and a record in the history of the state. For industrial consumers 24-hour power supply is being maintained for the last four years. During the Rabi season 10 to 12 hour power on three phase was supplied for sowing of Rabi season. Transformers were repaired and improved. Under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project, a target has been fixed to provide electricity to all the villages by the year 2012.
He said that it is a matter of pleasure that during the last four years Madhya Pradesh has remained in the forefront in the implementation of rural development scheme. Madhya Pradesh has done commendable work in the implementation of “Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana” and Rozgar Guarantee Scheme. As many as 4200 villages have been connected by constructing about 16,000 kilometre long 3462 roads under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
Dr. Jakhar informed that jobs of their choice were provided to 32 lakh families under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Forty-eight thousand works were completed with a cost of Rs. 1500 crore while one lakh 16 thousand works are under progress. “Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana” was started for providing houses to houseless families belonging to scheduled castes and tribes. Nine lakh 91 thousand works were sanctioned under “Jalabhishek Abhiyan” with a cost of Rs. 6,000 crore. An amount of Rs. 208 crore was also received through public participation. He said that Integrated Livelihood Implementation Scheme has been launched in the state for making more then 45 lakh BPL rural families self-dependants.
Drawing attention towards industrial development, the Governor said that the state government has implemented Employment training scheme-2007 for ensuring jobs to youths in the state as well as outside. The government has also given fillip to rural industries. Steps have been taken for the betterment of rural weavers, artisans and sculptor by holding a special Panchayat for eliciting their suggestions. Better facilities and benefits have also been ensured for state government employees. They were given dearness allowance from time to time and 50 per cent of their DA was merged into their basic salaries.
Dr. Jakhar said that in the industrial scenario Global Investors Summit has given a great fillip. The work of Bina refinery which was held up for years has been restarted. Consent of Union government has been received for including western parts of the state in the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.
The Governor said that for the first time in the state, a special incentive package has been prepared for attracting
bio-technological industries to the state. Effective steps have been taken for the betterment of forest, forest-dwellers and tribals who are dependant of forests. Pending Tendu Patta bonus of the years 2005 and 2006 is being distributed among the Tendu Patta collectors. ([email protected])