Decisions of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister

• 01 Sep 2023

Why in News?

In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Chief Minister's residence 'Samatva Bhawan' under the chairmanship of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 31, 2023, the Council of Ministers approved a sum of Rs 1200 crore for the upgradation and construction of roads in the urban bodies of the state. Along with approving the 'Kayakalp Yojana', many other important decisions were taken.

Key Points:

• It was decided by the cabinet to make the gas refill available at Rs.450 to the sisters having the connection of 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana', received during the period from July 4, 2023 to August 31, 2023.
  • An amount of about Rs 500 per refill will be paid to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the sisters who have received about 40 lakh gas refills. An expenditure of about Rs 200 crore is expected on this.
• The Cabinet approved a 'Kayakalp Plan' worth Rs 1200 crore for the upgradation and construction of roads of urban bodies of the state. This decision has been taken with the objective of providing a network of good, strong and comfortable roads for the easy movement of citizens in urban areas.
  • In this scheme, the work of renovation, strengthening and construction of major roads of the body will be done in a quality manner according to a time-bound programme.
  • In addition to the appointment of urban state quality monitors for quality control of the works of the scheme, arrangements have also been made for three-level monitoring at the state, directorate and division level.
• The cabinet gave approval to increase the annual income limit of the student's father/guardian from Rs.6 lakh to Rs.8 lakh under 'Mukhyamantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana'.
• The Council of Ministers decided to construct the 40.90 km long West Bhopal Bypass in the southwest part of Bhopal city on a hybrid annuity model at a cost of Rs 2,981 crore 65 lakh.
  • This bypass road will be constructed by Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation in four lanes with paved sholders.
  • In the project, a six-lane structure with a four-lane road and 2 two-lane service roads on both sides will be constructed. One ROB, two flyovers, fifteen underpasses and two major junctions will be constructed along the alignment of the route.
  • According to the proposal, 40 percent of the contract amount will be paid to the investor agency in 5 instalments during the construction work. The remaining 60 percent amount will be paid as half yearly annuity for the next 15 years.
• As per the announcement of the Chief Minister by the Cabinet, it was agreed to organize 'Khelo MP Youth Games' every year in the state on the lines of 'Khelo India Youth Games' and the organizing expenditure of Rs. 200 crore.
• The cabinet decided to create new subdivision Jawa in district Rewa. The new section will include all Patwari Halkas from 01 to 87 in Tehsil Jawa, totaling 87 Patwari Halkas. After the formation of Jawa sub-division, the Patwari circles of Tehsil Teonthar will remain from 01 to 100, a total of 100 Patwari circles will remain in sub-division Teonthar.
• It was decided by the Cabinet to increase the incentive amount of ASHA and urban ASHA workers from Rs 2,000 per month to Rs 6,000 per month for routine activities carried out by them. Also, the incentive amount has been increased according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) every year (in the maximum range of Rs. 1000).
• With this, the daily incentive given to ASHA supervisors was increased to Rs 500 per day (maximum Rs 15,000 per month) and the department has been authorized to take decisions about appropriate increase every year.
• The amount given at the time of retirement of ASHA, Urban ASHA and ASHA supervisors has been increased to Rs 1 lakh. The families of ASHA, Urban ASHA and ASHA supervisors have also been considered as eligible families for 'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Arogya Yojana' during their duty period.
• Two new group water supply schemes have been approved by the Council of Ministers through the Public Health Engineering Department through Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam in Ratlam and Lavkushnagar of Chhatarpur. For this, administrative approval of Rs 967 crore 52 lakh has been issued.
• Formation of 'Madhya Pradesh Dev Narayan Board' by the Council of Ministers to give necessary suggestions and recommendations to the state government for the welfare of Gujjars in Madhya Pradesh, strengthening their social and economic status, employment, skill development and education/training Order ratified September 28, 2020.
• From time to time, the eligible women beneficiaries of the 'Dietary Grant Scheme', run by the Tribal Affairs Department to get rid of malnutrition from the backward tribes Baiga, Bharia and Saharia, in the Ladli Bahna Yojana, run by the Women and Child Development Department, from time to time. It has been decided to give the benefit of the increase in amount equally.
• Along with this, it has also been decided not to give the benefit of Ladli Bahna Yojana to the women beneficiaries who have taken advantage of the Diet Grant Scheme to prevent double benefit of the scheme by the beneficiaries.
• The Council of Ministers has ratified the decision to reduce the market fee on cotton to Rs 0.50 by March 31, 2024. This decision was taken in view of the demand of cotton traders and public representatives to reduce the market fee on cotton and to encourage cotton trade.