Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav addressed the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Varanasi on Tuesday, chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh, along with Chief Secretaries and senior officials from the Centre and participating states. In his speech, Dr. Yadav emphasized India’s historic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that India has not only made significant strides in domestic development but has also earned a respected and decisive voice on the global stage. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he expressed that it symbolized India’s commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and honor of its citizens, and reinforced the message that the Government of India will stand as a shield for every Indian, regardless of where they are in the world.
Dr. Yadav spoke about the importance of the states in India’s progress towards the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047." He stressed that platforms like NITI Aayog, the Chief Ministers’ Council, and Zonal Councils have evolved into essential mechanisms for solutions rather than just dialogue.
He stated, “We have learned that ideologies may differ, but the nation’s future is shared. Perspectives may vary, but the goal must be one — a strong, inclusive, and self-reliant India.” He described the Zonal Council as a living example of cooperative federalism and reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s belief that India's strength lies in its diversity, but its progress depends on the spirit of ‘Team India.’
Highlighting the significance of the meeting being held in Varanasi, the sacred land of Baba Vishwanath, Dr. Yadav noted that the federal structure of India thrives not just on constitutional provisions but through sensitive leadership and collective resolve. He pointed out that recent years have shown the power of collaboration between states, particularly in disaster response, internal security, and infrastructure development, where progress has doubled. He credited PM Modi’s efforts in fostering regular CM interactions, central-state coordination mechanisms, and investment summits, which have strengthened federalism. “The notion that states and the Centre are rivals has changed; now we are partners,” said Dr. Yadav.
Dr. Yadav also urged for an increase in the per-family ceiling amount under the Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana, which has remained unchanged at Rs. 1,052 since 2018. He called for the establishment of an integrated portal to track child health parameters, as current data remains fragmented across various departments.
The Chief Minister went on to share several key state initiatives, noting that 5 lakh employees in Madhya Pradesh will benefit from the newly approved Madhya Pradesh Public Service Promotion Rules 2025, which end a nine-year halt on promotions.
Additionally, vacancies created through promotions will be filled with direct recruitment for 2 lakh positions. The state has also planned the development of metro clusters in cities like Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Gwalior under the Metropolitan Region Planning and Development Act 2025. Madhya Pradesh now boasts 17 government medical colleges, with plans for new ones in Singrauli and Sheopur, and six more in the next two years. A MedCity project is also underway in Ujjain, with 12 new medical colleges being established under a public-private partnership model.
On the health front, the state is actively addressing infant and maternal mortality rates through interdepartmental task forces. The Mission Vatsalya and Poshan 2.0 programs have successfully lifted over 12.51 lakh children out of malnutrition. Under the e-Panchayat project, services such as birth and death certificates, marriage registrations, and construction permits are now available at the village level. The Sampada 2.0 portal has streamlined property registrations, making transactions easier and more transparent.
Dr. Yadav also shared the state’s ambitious goal of becoming the Milk Capital of India. Through a pact with the National Dairy Development Board and MP Milk Federation, the state is working to strengthen the dairy network and the Sanchi brand, aiming to set up primary dairy cooperative societies in 50% of villages and increase milk collection from 10 to 50 lakh liters per day.
In the justice sector, Fast-Track Special Courts have been established to expedite sensitive cases involving children. While progress has been made, the government is working to improve court performance and increase resources to ensure timely disposal of cases.
Dr. Yadav highlighted the success of the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, which has been implemented to conserve rainwater and rejuvenate water bodies across the state. The campaign, running from March 30 to June 30, has led to the construction and restoration of numerous water structures and beautification of river origins, with significant public participation. Khandwa district has ranked first nationally in this effort.