Important Decisions of the Council of Ministers under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister

• 27 Sep 2023

Why In News?

In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on September 26, 2023, many other important decisions were taken along with the approval of ‘Mukhyamantri Sambal Khiladi Protsahan Yojana’ and ‘Kayakalp Second Phase Scheme’ for three years.

Key Points:

• The Council of Ministers has approved that the monthly honorarium given to senior and elderly journalists of Madhya Pradesh will be increased from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 20 thousand.
  • On the death of a journalist who has received Samman Nidhi, his wife/husband will be given a lump sum amount of Rs 8 lakh.
  • For the treatment of journalists themselves or their dependents, the provision of financial assistance for common diseases will be increased from Rs 20 thousand to Rs 40 thousand and for serious diseases from Rs 50 thousand to Rs 1 lakh.
  • The condition regarding income tax has also been removed.
  • It is noteworthy that keeping in mind the overall welfare and interests of journalists and media representatives working in print media, electronic media and social, digital media, who act as the fourth pillar of democracy, the Chief Minister on September 7, 2023, issued a 'Journalist' Various announcements were made during the 'Samagam'.
• The Council of Ministers approved the new scheme 'Housing Loan and Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme 2023' by revising the interest subsidy scheme on housing loans to preferential journalists in Madhya Pradesh, which was earlier implemented in Madhya Pradesh.
• In the new scheme, the maximum loan amount limit has been increased from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. Apart from this, it has also been decided to bear a 5% interest subsidy for 5 years by the state government on the interest payable on the loan taken from the bank for the education of sons/daughters of journalists recognized under the scheme.
• The Council of Ministers also decided that under the 'Health and Accident Group Insurance Scheme for Madhya Pradesh Communication Representatives', the premium amount will be taken from journalists this year also as per the weighted premium rate for the year 2022-23.
• The amount of premium increased by the insurance company will be paid by the state government.
• According to the new provision in this scheme, the state government will bear the entire insurance premium of journalists above 65 years of age and their spouses.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the new capital scheme ‘Kayakalp Second Phase (Master Plan Roads) Scheme’ for three years for master plan roads in the state with special central assistance (Urban Improvement Programme).
• A provision of Rs 1200 crore has been made in the plan for the year 2023-24. The scheme will be implemented by the urban body, development authority, smart city and MP UDC.
• The Council of Ministers approved the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission by the Public Health Engineering Department.
• To make investment in the IT, ITES and ESDM sector more attractive in the state, the Council of Ministers approved a new policy 'Madhya Pradesh IT, ITES and ESDM Investment Promotion 2023' in place of Investment Policy 2016.
• The Department of Science and Technology has been authorized to issue rules and guidelines for implementation and to make general amendments in the rules and guidelines, remove inconsistencies and explain the provisions.
• With the effectiveness of the new policy, investment possibilities in the state will expand and interested companies will be attracted to invest.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the creation of two new tehsils Ponda and Katangi in Jabalpur, new tehsil Devtalab in district Mauganj and new tehsil Pichor in district Gwalior. Also, approval has been given for the formation of a new sub-division, Porsa, in district Morena.
• For the promotion of women's football, the Council of Ministers has approved Rs 97 crore 3 lakh for running the 'Patron State Programme'.
• For the implementation of the scheme, approval has been given to arrange for football coaches and management from the National Football Federation and to arrange for other support staff etc. from a private agency on an outsourced basis.
• The Council of Ministers approved the 'Chief Minister Sambal Khiladi Protsahan Yojana' under the Labor Department. According to the scheme, 50 thousand rupees will be provided to the members of Sambal Parivar for participating in sports competitions at the national level and 25 thousand rupees will be provided for participating in sports competitions at the state level.
• The Council of Ministers has given post-facto approval to the proposal sent to the Government of India for the construction of a textile park in the state. Approval has been given for the establishment of PM Mitra Park in village Bhainsola, District Dhar, approved by the Government of India.
• MOU executed on May 21, 2023, between the Government of India and the state government for the establishment of the park. Post-facto approval has been given.
• As per the conditions contained in the approval of PM Mitra Park Bhainsola Tehsil Badnawar District Dhar, approval has been given for the formation of SPV, in which the share of the Government of India will be 49 percent and the share of the State Government will be 51 percent. Approval has been given to provide the amount of state government's share in SPV from the departmental budget.
• Providing road, electricity and water facilities to the proposed park and approval to provide leveled, encroachment free land to the master developer through SP PV and the estimated expenditure of Rs 163 crore to be incurred in the construction of the said facility will be borne by the state government from the departmental budget. Approval has been given to do so.
• Electricity distribution license for PM Mitra Park has been approved by the Government of India. SPV has been given permission to purchase power from MPPMCL at Average Power Purchase Cost (APPC) for power supply in PM Mitra Park Bhainsola Tehsil Badnawar District Dhar. It has been approved to provide facilities and assistance to the units to be established in the park as per the prevailing industrial promotion policy.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the overtime pay scale for gazetted officers of Madhya Pradesh State Police Service.
• It was decided by the Council of Ministers that the remuneration of village Kotwars of Madhya Pradesh was increased by 25%.
• In compliance with the announcements made by the Chief Minister in the context of effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and better educational environment in colleges, the Council of Ministers has approved the proposal regarding guest scholars working in the department.