Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said, “The State Government will leave no stone unturned in providing relief and assistance to hailstorm-affected farmers. He was addressing district-level Antyodaya Mela here on Sunday. At the fair, benefits worth about Rs54 crore were distributed to 75 thousand beneficiaries under various schemes.
“A number of schemes have been chalked out to make Madhya Pradesh a pioneer state. Constant efforts are being made to increase income of the poor and making available benefits of development to them”, Chouhan added. The State Government has decided to give patta of lands where poor people living by constructing shanties. Places in cities will be earmarked for habilitating labourers coming over there in search of employment.
Antyodaya Melas are being held keeping this in view where benefits of various schemes are provided to beneficiaries at a single place. Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana for youths will be implemented from April 1. Under the scheme, loan guarantee upto Rs25 lakh for setting up industries and 5 per cent interest subsidy for 5 years will given by the State Government. Higher education loan guarantee scheme has also been chalked out for youths under which the State Government will be given loan guarantee.
Arrangements for free medicines and tests have been made for the poor at government hospitals. He appealed that every section of society should contribute in development of Madhya Pradesh. Such Antyodaya Melas will continue to be held in future also.
Bhopal Parliamentarian Kailash Joshi said, “Through Antyodaya Melas, needy persons are getting benefits at a single place. Antyodaya Melas are also proving to be platforms for awareness towards development”. He said that as a result of innovative schemes of the State Government, every person and section is getting benefits of development schemes. He appealed to youths to come forward to available benefits of public welfare schemes of the State Government.
Mayor Krishna Gaur said, “lakhs of people have benefited from Chief Minister’s spirit of public welfare”. Initiative of Antyodaya Melas has yielded effective results. At the fair site, tricycles, crutches and other equipment were provided to disabled beneficiaries. Benefits of over 100 schemes of various departments were provided to 75 thousand beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister lauded district administration, Municipal Corporation, administrative staff associated with the programme and the police administration for ensuring best arrangements at Antyodaya Mela despite bad weather. The Chief Minister was accorded welcome by beneficiaries on his arrival at the fair. He interacted with beneficiaries of various schemes and elicited their views about future schemes.