Bhopal, Aug 18 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Tuesday approved a series of significant decisions aimed at boosting industrial growth, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, water conservation and scientific research in the state.
Madhya Pradesh has selected and proposed 11 locations for industrial development, submitting proposals totalling over Rs 9,000 crore (approximately Rs 8,000 crore in project costs) covering 9,000 acres. The focus remains on expressway-based industrial corridors.
To support greater participation of women in the workforce, four working women’s hostels will be constructed under the Government of India’s Special Assistance Scheme.
In a landmark step for the state’s lifeline river, the cabinet approved the formation of the Aviral Maa Narmada Mission. Mother Narmada is regarded as the life-giver and source of salvation for the people of Madhya Pradesh, with more than 35 per cent of the state’s population directly or indirectly dependent on her.
The mission seeks to ensure the uninterrupted flow of the river’s waters. Alongside this, the cabinet cleared an outlay of approximately Rs 1,46,000 crore for the state’s all-round development, covering water conservation, women empowerment, health and technological progress.
Key allocations include Rs 14,365 crore for the operation of the Ladli Behna Yojana, Rs 16,326 crore for the Madhya Pradesh Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Rs 2,137 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Rs 11,835 crore for health schemes, Rs 870 crore for agricultural education, research and extension, and Rs 492 crore for scientific research, innovation and capacity building.
Infrastructure development received a further push with the approval of 35 new posts in the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation. This will help the corporation effectively manage the large number of expressways and new roads planned for the coming year.
The cabinet also decided to continue seven existing positions in the corporation. In the field of Science and Technology, plans worth over Rs 492 crore have been proposed for the next five years. The department’s current budget stands at Rs 734 crore, a sharp rise from the mere Rs 10 crore allocated during the previous Congress regime, underscoring the present government’s emphasis on the sector.
–IANS
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