Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that efforts are afoot to increase power generation capacity in the State to 14,000 MW in next one year. At present, 10,600 MW power is generated in the State, which was only 2900 MW 9 years ago. He said that arrangements are being made to ensure 24-hour power supply in all districts, which will make common man's lives convenient and boost State's economy.
Chouhan was addressing a farmers' convention at Multai in Betul district on Saturday. He announced to accord tahsil status to Prabhat Pattinam. He said that 24-hour power supply in Betul district will start from May. Chouhan said that preliminary survey of 22 minor and medium irrigation projects of Multai tehsil will be conducted. Multai is the originating place of holy river Tapti. Possibilities of including it also in Madhya Pradesh Gaan will be considered.
At the farmers' convention, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones of 8 proposed construction works costing `17.72 crore. He distributed cheques and material to beneficiaries under various schemes.
The Chief Minister said that network of small and cottage industries will be laid throughout the State. Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana has been launched to help youths in setting up self-employment. They will be given guarantee for loan from `25,000 to `25 lakh by the State Government.
He said that financial
condition of people engaged in small employments like hair dressers, carpenters, ironsmiths etc. will be improved by imparting skill development training to them. He said that agriculture has been made profitable. Now, facility has been given to farmers to pay electricity bills on flat rate of `1200 per horsepower. Half outstanding of old bills has been waived while farmers can pay remaining amount in 10 installments. The Chief Minister also performed
worship at the originating place of Tapti River.
local MlA Sukhdev said that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan does not allow politics to come in the way of development. Ex-MP Hemant Khandelwal and large number of farmers were present on
the occasion.