Madhya Pradesh Assembly
Agencies, Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that a target has been set to expand irrigation capacity in the state to 80 lakh hectare by 2025.
“The attainment of the objective would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1.10 lakh crore. A decision has also been taken to procure poppy husk from cultivators and burn it,” said Mr Chouhan while participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address.
Elaborating on various schemes launched by the Government for the welfare of farmers, he said that the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana envisaged to ensure that peasants receive proper price for their produce. A compensation of Rs 30,000 per hectare has been fixed for over 50 per cent crop loss.
“The Government has taken a number of steps with regards to women empowerment. Nearly 27 lakh women benefitted from the Ladli Laxmi Yojana. Several lakhs reaped benefits of the Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana,” he asserted.
“Women have been provided 50 per cent reservation in civic bodies. In most government departments, 33 per cent reservation has been given. The Government has sent a bill proposing capital punishment to child rapists to the President for assent,” said Mr Chouhan.
Observing that the Narmada Seva Yatra had been taken out for the purpose of creating awareness with regards to conservation of the holy river and avoid a situation like the Ganga, he denied charges that Gujarat has been extra water from the Narmada than its share.
Claiming that investment to the tune of Rs 2 lakh cr came to Madhya Pradesh by courtesy of organising Global Investors’ Summits, the Chief Minister said that the state’s Gross Domestic Product has grown from Rs 98,000 to Rs 6.40 lakh cr.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh alleged that the regime indulged in extravagance and suggested that it should take austerity-related measures. He pointed out that the state was reeling under a debt of Rs 1.50 lakh cr but the money was not being spent prudently.
Muskan Kirar, women greeted in MP House on International Women’s Day
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly congratulated Jabalpur-based 16-year-old archer Muskan Kirar – on the occasion of International Women’s Day today – for winning a gold medal in the Asia Cup in Bangkok.
During the Zero Hour, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia informed the House about her feat following which members thumped their desks.Speaker Sitasaran Sharma extended congratulations to Muskan and greeted women folk of the state on the occasion of the Women’s Day.
Oppn alleges incomplete houses being built under PMAY
The principal-opposition Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today alleged that incomplete houses are being built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY – Prime Minister Housing Scheme).
In the Question Hour, several Congress members – including Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh and Mr Ramniwas Rawat – raised the issue of second installment allegedly not being released under the scheme.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava assured that specific cases would be examined provided that these are brought to notice.
Mr Hardeep Singh Dang (Cong) said that second installment under the scheme was not being released to beneficiaries in Mandsaur’s Suwasara constituency.
Nonetheless, Mr Bhargava denied that any such rule existed. He claimed that the whole system was transparent. The regime has built six lakh houses under the scheme.
Oppn corners MP Govt over compensation to farmers
The principal-opposition Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today alleged that the Government is trying to avoid responding to queries related to compensation to peasants for land acquisition.
Raising the issue of acquisition of land belonging to farmers for construction of a national highway in Rewa’s Gudh Nagar Parishad (city council) during the Question Hour, Mr Sunderlal Tiwari (Cong) said, “Land located in the city council is being purchased on price equivalent in rural areas.”
He said that compensation should be provided in accordance to the legislation enacted by the previous United Progressive Alliance regime and demanded that responsible officials should be punished.
While stressing that the query pertained to the Revenue Department and the Public Works Department, Urban Development and Housing Minister Maya Singh said that the legislation concerned was not applicable on national highways.
However, the member read out rule book issued by the Centre. When Ms Singh reiterated that the question concerned another department, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh said that the Minister should have returned the question to another department. Several Congress members alleged that the regime was trying to avoid an answer.
In the meantime, Revenue Minister Umashankar Gupta tried to provide an explanation but Mr Tiwari alleged that the Urban Development and Housing Department did not prepare enough and that the Government is adopting a dictatorial attitude. In view of the deadlock, Speaker Sitasaran Sharma directed him that the matter be raised through some other rule and continued the proceedings.
