Several announcements for Katni

Bhopal, Mar 11: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made a number of announcements for development of Katni district during his visit to Katni on Tuesday. Chouhan said that the present government has made several special provisions so as to ensure the participation of women in decision-making process.

Now, the women will have 50 percent representation in local bodies. Referring to the International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8 every year aft over the globe, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would now concentrate on its efforts towards women empowerment observing the women's day everyday. Referring to the steps taken by the government in the larger interests of farmers, Chouhan said mat the government was committed to make agriculture a profitable occupation. To achieve this objective, interest rates on agricultural loans have been reduced and the rates of compensation on damage to the crops in the event of natural calamities have been enhanced substantially.

Chouhan pointed out that the Centre has announced the support price of Rs 1000 per quintal for wheat but the State Government has decided to provide a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal so as to ensure reasonable prices to farmers for their produce. At the mammoth pubic gathering, the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to provide Rs 4.44 crore for district court building, to construct 2182 houses at a cost of Rs 29 crore for slum dwellers and to provide Rs 45 lakh for construction of a cricket stadium and sports coaching centre.

He also sanctioned a sum of Rs 27 crore for construction of an over bridge. He instructed the local authorities to ensure that the slum dwellers are not displaced the completion of houses for them. At another programme at forester playground, the Chief Minister said that their government had deposited electricity bids amounting to Rs 1783 crore on behalf of the farmers. Abo, the penalty has been waived off.