Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the highest responsibility of a democratic government is towards the poor. The poor and underprivileged sections are the ones that need the maximum support and cooperation of the Government. For this, the State Government is committed.
Madhya Pradesh has to be established as a model of public welfare state. Therefore, every possible effort should be made with utmost seriousness for permanent social and economic upliftment of the poor and deprived sections with immediate assistance schemes. Multi-dimensional activities should be conducted for the education of children, health facilities as well as sustainable livelihood. Chouhan was addressing the meeting of the Group of Ministers constituted for the welfare of the poor under the roadmap of Aatma-Nirbhar Madhya Pradesh.
Among those present in the meeting were Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Bisahulal Singh, Urban Development and Housing Minister Bhupendra Singh, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Animal Husbandry, Social Justice and Disabled Welfare Minister Prem Singh Patel, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Minister Ramkhelawan Patel, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing O.P.S. Bhadoria, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and Group Coordinator Principal Secretary Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. New and Renewable Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Dang also virtually took part.
Chouhan said that handing over the responsibility of distribution of food grains to self-help groups can also be considered. Along with this, extensive operation of beneficiary-oriented schemes related to forest produce-based activities and activities related to animal husbandry like goat rearing, poultry that provide immediate benefits to the poor is essential. Chouhan said that all the public representatives including the minister should maintain live contact with the beneficiaries of various schemes. This will help in getting necessary feedback related to the schemes and make them more effective.
The Chief Minister said that the distribution of food grains is a sensitive scheme. It should be ensured that no eligible person is deprived under this. Chouhan said that no laxity will be tolerated in the distribution of food grains. He said that the Crisis Management Committees will monitor the fair price shops. Strict action should be taken against those who commit irregularities under the Public Distribution System under the sections of black marketing. The Collector and SDM should keep an eye on the tampering of food grains being given to the poor. Vigilance should be maintained at the tehsil and block level also.