Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that surplus power will be generated in Madhya Pradesh from the year 2014 and the State will effectively participate in the progress and development of country. The Chief Minister and leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley launched Atal Jyoti Abhiyan in Balaghat district on Saturday.
With this, all households in the districts will start receiving power for 24-hours and farmers for 8 hours in the district.
The Chief Minister said that State's economy has become strong. Madhya Pradesh is on top in the country in agriculture development. He said that State's agriculture growth will increase despite losses to agriculture due to natural calamities. He said that 24-hour power supply to villagers will benefit farmers and boost rural economy. Purchasing power of villagers will also increase.
The Chief Minister said that arrangements will be made to provide employment to 1 lakh youths in a year and 5 lakh in five years under Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana. He said that like wheat, Rs 150 per quintal bonus will also be given on paddy procurement support price from next crop.
Jaitley said that Madhya Pradesh, which was a Bimaru State in the year 2003 is now on top in growth rate in the country. It is historic revolution. It has become an issue of study for economists as to how Madhya Pradesh progressed to become top state in the country shedding status of Bimaru State.
He said that Madhya Pradesh has fulfilled its historic resolve to ensure 24-hour power supply amid adverse circumstances like less power being generated in Madhya Pradesh as compared to other States due to shortage of coal in power generating plants. Jaitley said that development of Madhya Pradesh has now become a "turnaround story", which is quite necessary for India's development. He said that best works of infrastructure development, rural development etc have been undertaken in Madhya Pradesh.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Minister Rajendra Shukla said that the State Government has become successful to erase the blot of power cuts on Madhya Pradesh. He also threw light on the efforts made to this effect. Minster in-charge of district Nanabhau Mohod, MP KD Deshmukh, MlAS, Chief Secretary R Parasuram, public representatives and large number of people were present on the occasion.