Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the newly constituted Cabinet, has given importance to Madhya Pradesh. He raised the stature of Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar by giving him Ministry of panchayat and rural development and Ministry of agriculture. Similarly, Prahlad Patel has been given charge of Ministry of Tourism and Culture as MoS. Tomar and Patel have been assigned key portfolios.
The culture ministry is said to be top priority of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Thawarchand Gehlot will continue with Ministry of social justice while Phaggan Singh Kulaste, appointed as MoS, has been given charge of Ministry of Steel. Dharmendra Pradhan, RS MP from Madhya Pradesh, has been assigned charge of Ministry of Petroleum and Steel. Modi has given importance to Madhya Pradesh by appointing 5 ministers from the state. It would be necessary for the state government to maintain coordination with these Union ministers.
The state government gets a significant amount of money through Central schemes for Panchayati Raj, rural development and agriculture. Funds for MGNREGS, rural roads and panchayati raj come from the Centre. Ministry of tourism also allocates fund for new projects in the state. Ministry of social justice grants money for various state schemes. It is necessary for the state government to maintain cordial relations with the Union ministers representing the state, to get funds for the centrally sponsored schemes. Chief Minister Kamal Nath too has congratulated all the Union ministers from the state and has expected them to support for the development of the state.