Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that there is a dream and resolution to make Madhya Pradesh the best state in the world. Development Vision 2023 is ready and special efforts are being made in education and health sector. Innovative efforts will also be made for quality education. The State's agricultural growth rate has increased from two per cent to 29 per cent. Over the last five years, it has been 20 percent.
Chouhan was addressing 'Madhya Pradesh: Kal-Aaj-Kal' programme on the occasion of Excellence Award-2017 distribution ceremony organised by a private channel today. Minister for Public Relations and Water Resources Narottam Mishra was also present on this occasion. The Chief Minister awarded 15 winners in various categories in the programme.
Chouhan said that awarding those who work for the betterment in the society is a successful attempt to give direction to the society. In this direction, IBC-24 initiative is commendable. Chouhan said that growth rate of Madhya Pradesh was negative 12 years ago. The annual budget was just Rs 21,000 crore, and out of it only Rs 5,000 crore were available for development works. Per capita income was only Rs 13,000. Today, the growth rate of Madhya Pradesh is around 10 percent for the last eight years, which is the second in the country.
Out of Rs 100 of the Government revenue, Rs 22, used to go for paying interest. Today, Rs eight are paid. Roads today are better as compared to other roads in the country and abroad. It was difficult to find road in pits at that time. Power generation was only 2,900 MW, which is now 18000 MW. The total irrigation capacity of the state was 7.57 lakh hectares, which is now 40 lakh hectare. It is increasing at a rate of five lakh hectare every year.
River linking was not imagined then Narmada and Kshipra rivers have been linked. Work is on progress to link Gambhir river.
Mentioning the efforts of women empowerment, Chouhan said that the government is working considering daughter as goddess in the state. At the beginning of government programmes, he himself wash daughters' feet. It is an attempt to give the message that daughters are Goddess. As many as 26 lakh daughters of the state are 'lakhpati'. When they will attain 21 years of age, Rs 32,000 crores will be deposited in their bank account from government treasury. There are 56 per cent female public representatives in local bodies' elections. This has been possible by the government decision to provide 50 per cent reservation in local bodies.