Madhya Pradesh

• 20 Feb 2023

Madhya Pradesh Selected as an Excellent State for Better Work in the Field of Irrigation

Why in News?

On February 19, 2023, in the meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, it was informed that Madhya Pradesh has been selected as the best State for doing better work in the field of irrigation.

Key Points

• It was informed in the meeting that Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the CBIP Award by the Central Bureau of Irrigation and Energy.
• Under the leadership of Chief Minister Chouhan, irrigation potential has been increased from 7 lakh hectares to 45 lakh hectares in the last 15 years.
• In the last 3 years, Madhya Pradesh has become the first State in the country to irrigate maximum area through pipe system.

Important Decisions Taken in the Cabinet Meeting Chaired by the Chief Minister

Why in News?

In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on February 19, 2023, the decision to discourage liquor along with many other important decisions were taken.

Key Points

• The Council of Ministers has taken several important decisions to discourage liquor in the state.
• All liquor vends and shop bars will be closed in the state.
• Drinking alcohol will not be allowed in liquor shops.
• The radius of 50 meters around educational and religious institutions for liquor shops will be increased to 100 meters.
• The provisions of suspension of driving licenses and punishment of drunken driving will be tightened.
• The Cabinet has decided to increase the relief amount by amending the Revenue Book Circular 6-4 Appendix-1.
• According to the decision, Rs 74,000 per person will be given in place of Rs 59,100 for loss of any part of the body or eyes or for 60% disability and Rs 2 lakh 50 thousand instead of Rs 2 lakh in case of more than 60% disability.
• Similarly, a seriously injured person will be given Rs 16,000 per person instead of Rs 12,700 for hospitalization for more than a week and Rs 5,400 per person instead of Rs 4,300 for less than a week.

Assistance for land and other damage in the event of floods-

• In case of sand or stone (more than 3 inches) in agricultural land, relief of Rs 12,200 per hectare will be given instead for removing debris on arable land in hilly areas, relief for desalting or restoration or repair cleaning in fish farm will be Rs 18,000 per hectare.
• Similarly, relief will be given in case of destruction of land owned by marginal or small farmer due to landslides, avalanches, change of course of rivers, relief of Rs 47,000 will be given instead of Rs 37,500 per hectare.
• Financial assistance for loss of animals and birds (poultry)
• The relief amount for milch animals like cow/ buffalo/ camel etc. is Rs 37,500 instead of Rs 30,000 per animal and Rs 4,000 per sheep/ goat/pigs will be given instead of 3 thousand rupees.
• For non-milch animal camels/ horses/ bulls / buffaloes etc., the relief amount will be increased from Rs 25 thousand per animal to Rs 32 thousand per animal and calves (cow, buffalo)/ass/donkey/mules will be given will be given Rs 20,000 instead of Rs 16,000 per animal.
• For large animals kept in temporary cattle camp, Rs 80 will be given instead of Rs 70 per day and Rs 45 per animal instead of Rs 35 per animal per day.
• Similarly Rs 100 per bird will be given for loss of birds (chickens/birds) in place of Rs 60 (above 10 weeks of age).

Assistance given to fishermen affected by floods and storms

• In case of partial damage to the boat, Rs 6,000 will be given instead of Rs 4,100 for repair.
• For repair of nets or other equipment, 3 thousand rupees will be given instead of 2,100 rupees.
• In case of destruction of the boat, Rs 15,000 will be given instead of Rs 12,000 .
• Similarly, those who rear fish will be given Rs 10,000 per hectare instead of Rs 8,200 for the affected fish seeds due to natural calamities such as drought, excessive rains, floods, landslides, earthquakes etc.

Assistance given to weavers/handicraftsmen-

• Weavers/handicraftsmen working in the field of traditional crafts affected by natural calamities will be given relief amount of Rs. 5,000 per craft instead of a maximum of Rs 4,100 per craftsman for purchasing raw materials or threads and other related colours, chemicals etc. in case of damage to their equipment/tools and raw materials.

Financial assistance for damaged houses

• Based on the assessment of actual damage for a fully damaged (not repairable) and severely damaged (where the damage is more than 50 per cent) pucca/kutcha house, the relief amount is Rs 1,20,000 in plains and Rs 1,30,000 in hilly areas instead of a maximum of Rs 95,100.
• In case of complete destruction of a slum (slum means a house constructed from a raw house to a low-well plastic seat etc.), the relief amount of Rs 8,000 will be given instead of Rs 6,000.
• Similarly, relief amount will be given in place of Rs 5,500 for partially damaged (where the damage is 15 percent to 50 percent) pucca house and Rs 4 thousand instead of 3 thousand 200 for raw house. Also, for the animal house attached to the house, relief amount will be given instead of 2 thousand 100 rupees per animal house.
• The Cabinet also recommended amendments to certain sections of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1956 and the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1961. Q. The Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 has been approved. The Bill is being brought to decriminalize certain provisions of the Acts administered under the Department.
• The Cabinet has approved the Madhya Pradesh Urban Areas Landless Persons (Denial of Lease Rights) Amendment Bill, 2023. With a view to address the housing problem of the poor in cities, the cutoff date is being extended from 31st December, 2014 to 31st December, 2020 by increasing the eligibility date for grant of residential land to the poor under the Madhya Pradesh Urban Areas (Payment of Lease Rights) Act, 1984 .
• The Cabinet has approved the creation of a new Tehsil Gwalior Rural in Gwalior.

CM Releases 12 More Cheetahs in Kuno

Why in News?

On February 18, 2023, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa into the Kuno Palpur National Park located in Sheopur district. These include 7 male cheetahs and 5 female cheetahs.

Key Points

• With these 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa, there are now 20 cheetahs in Kuno. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released 8 cheetahs brought from Namibia in Kuno on his birthday on September 17, 2022.
• It is noteworthy that Palpur Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh is the most unique destination for wildlife lovers. Kuno has breathtaking forests with abundance of kardhai, khair and salai and there are dozens of grass-grazing wildlife in vast grasslands.
• This area was designated a sanctuary with about 350 sq km area was shaped like a leaf- in the middle of which river Kuno flows like a backbone. This river not only helps in keeping a constant water supply in the forest and irrigating the forest, but it also gives the name to this protected area.
• Kuno National Park/Kuno Wildlife Division and the surrounding area have historically been rich in wildlife. This area was also known as dense forest in ancient times. The area around the Kuno River has been rich in biodiversity since ancient times.
• Realizing the importance of this place, the state government established the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1981 with an area of about 345 sq.km within a large forest area of about 3300 sq.km. To further strengthen wildlife protection and ensure proper management of this area, the Kuno Wildlife Division of 1235 sq km was established in the year 2002 by adding an additional 891 sq km area as buffer.
• The area includes dry grasslands and tropical riverine forests. It is equally rich in different species of animals. This area is a rare habitat of various favorable factors for wildlife. This area was identified as the most suitable place for the rehabilitation of cheetahs.
• The forest area of Kuno National Park is mainly dominated by kardhai, salai, khair trees, mostly among mixed forests. It also helps in having a variety of species of flora and fauna. In total, 123 species of trees, 71 species of shrubs, 32 species of vines and exotic vegetation, 34 species of bamboo and grass are found in Kuno National Park.