Industrial units soon in Bundelkhand

Bhopal, Apr 11: The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a series of industrial units would be set up for developing backward Bundelkhand area which would also give employment to maximum number of jobless people. He was addressing the stone-laying ceremony of the programme to beautify Lakha Banjara Lake at a cost of Rs 21 crore on Friday in Sagar.

On this occasion, Chouhan also announced to convene Mahapanchayat of Bidi workers. The Chief Minister Chouhan said that no stone has been left unturned for the development of Sagar. He informed that the demand for opening a medical college, which was pending for years, was accepted and construction of its building is going on at war footing. If possible, students would start getting admission in this college right from this year. The demand for a Central university has also been met with people's cooperation.

Chouhan said that injustice with Bundelkhand would not be allowed in any way. The backward Bundelkhand would have to be brought forward with setting up of a series of industrial units which would also generate employment for the jobless people. Chouhan said that Bundelkhand Development Authority should chalk out schemes and send the same to the government. There would be no dearth of funds for these schemes. He said that he would convene a Mahapanchayat of Bidi workers. Chouhan said that the government has decided to purchase wheat from farmers at the rate of Rs 1100 per quintal and distribute the same among poor people at the rate of Rs 3 per kg. A poor person would never be left to face hunger.

The Chief Minister said that farmers have been given ample facilities of irrigation. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country where loans are being extended to farmers at five percent interest rate. He informed that 63 new small irrigation projects have been sanctioned for Sagar district after completion of which 11 hectare more area would be brought under irrigation. The welcome address on this occasion was delivered by Sagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Pradeep Laria. Those present on the occasion included Minister for Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development and Cooperatives Gopal Bhargava, Minister for Commerce, Industry, Housing and Environment Jayant Malaiya, Member of Parliament Virendra Kumar, MLAs of the area, Chairman of Bundelkhand Development Authority Surendra Pratap Singh, District Panchayat president Harvansh Singh and others.