By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: British High Commissioner Richard Stag has praised Madhya Pradesh Government’s efforts for launching Livelihoods Projects in the rural areas and undertaking effective steps to bring down malnutrition among women and children apart from reducing birth-death rates.
Higher Commissioner Stag said that much better work has been done in Madhya Pradesh in the three spheres. He said that he has advised other states of India also to follow the footsteps of Madhya Pradesh with regard to these three fields.
Stag praised the government’s efforts during the meeting when he made a courtesy call on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at his residence on Monday.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that during the last four years special attention has been given to development of infrastructure and basic amenities in Madhya Pradesh. The efforts undertaken for improvement of roads and arrangements for water and power have yielded good results. He said that investment to the tune of Rs 216 crore in the state is the result of these efforts.
The Chief Minister said that welfare of the poor is first priority of the state government. This would also pave the way of ensuring health and prosperity in the state.
Chouhan informed the Higher Commissioner that the state government is undertaking efforts for making agriculture a profitable business. Emphasis is also being laid on self-employment apart from tapping agriculture potential. The Chief Minister informed that self-help groups constituted under various self-employment schemes have made remarkable progress.
During the talks with the Higher Commissioner, the Chief Minister said that India and Britain have close bilateral relations. Increasing cooperation between the two countries over prevention of terrorism, poverty alleviation and health improvement is a good omen. The Chief Minister also expressed pleasure over Britain’s cooperation in welfare programmes for urban poor, rural livelihood projects and health sector. The Chief Minister expressed the hope that Britain would continue to cooperate in the development of Madhya Pradesh and efforts for welfare of its people.
Chouhan also gave detailed information to the Higher Commissioner about development and expansion of tourist facilities in Madhya Pradesh. He said that 20 per cent rise in the number of tourists visiting the state is a very good sign. He said that the state has vast scope for religious tourism and the state government is making all possible efforts for promoting it.
Earlier, the Chief Minister welcomed Stag and presented to him a facsimile of World Heritage Sanchi Stupa as a memento. Chief Minister’s secretary Anurag Jain, Ms Susanna Morched, Ms Meenaxi Nati and Ms Amanda MacLehin were present on the occasion. ([email protected])