Fearing opposition by the already agitating State Government employees and farmers, the State Cabinet failed to give the nod for a 119 per cent hike in salaries of
legislators, Ministers and the Chief Minister.
The State Cabinet was scheduled on Tuesday at the State Assembly premises and the proposal of salary hike was very much on the agenda. After going though several other subjects, when this subject was brought for discussion, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself declined to give the nod to this proposal.
Sources said that Chouhan told his Cabinet colleagues that it would not be appropriate to hike salary at this time. He further said that the State Government employees are already on strike and the farmers are facing problems of crop damage. "Thus this is not the time for salary hike of legislators," he added.
Surprisingly, the Ministers did not speak out anything over the matter and gave the nod to the statement of the Chief Minister. The matter was deferred as the Chief Minister said further discussion is required on it.
Notably, the proposal was brought to the Cabinet only after discussion with the Chief Minister and the Speaker of the State Assembly. Now, it is expected that the proposal might come up again with minor changes.
Besides, the State Cabinet giving the nod to the proposal of land allotment to non-Government organizations and individuals cleared the way for providing land to the Kushabhau Thakre Training Institute.
The Cabinet also decided to increase the expenses limit for the 12th five-year Plan. This fund is Centre's share for tourism infrastructure construction.
The Cabinet accorded revised administrative sanction of Rs 402.47 crore for 219.14 km long 6 roads. Of these, Rs 62.89 crore has been sanctioned for 54.80 km long lahar-Bharauli-Bhind road under MDR Project. Similarly, revised administrative sanction of Rs 87.62 crore has been given for 42.13 km long Kahani Palari road in Seoni district under MDR Project, Rs 60.56 crore for 27.64 km long Jhukehi-Kaimor-Bhatura road, Rs 63.62 crore for 36.02 km long Khathurra-Chitrangi road, Rs 57.92 crore for 29.40 km long Panagar-Singaldeep-Majhauli road and Rs 69.86 crore has been sanctioned for 29.15 km long Cheech to Kalwana road.
The Cabinet gave sanction to declare the sub-jail in Agar-Malwa as district
jail. The Cabinet also decided to allot a plot for office building of Green Tribunal at the State Capital.