Madhya Pradesh

• 28 Sep 2022

Madhya Pradesh got 8 Awards in National Tourism Awards

Why In News?

• The Union Ministry of Tourism presented awards in 8 different categories to Madhya Pradesh under the 'National Tourism Awards 2018-19' at the award function held in New Delhi on World Tourism Day on September 27, 2022.

Key Points

• Madhya Pradesh has received 8 National Tourism Awards:
  • Indore, the cleanest city in the country, won the award for 'Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in India' (Category A). The state has so far received 7 awards in this category. Mandu has been awarded in 2010-11 and 2011-12, Pachmarhi in 2012-13, Maheshwar in 2013-14, Khargone (Category B) in 2015-16 and Omkareshwar (Category B) in 2016-17.
  • For the first time in the category of 'Swachh Tourism Place- Western Region', the award was received by Municipal Corporation Ujjain.
  • Shiv Mandir, Bhojpur won the award for 'Best Intended and Disabled Friendly Monument'. Earlier, the state has received this honor for Sanchi Stupa in 2017-18, Amarkantak Temple in 2014-15 and Shiva Temple Bhojpur in 2013-14.
  • Devi Ahilya Bai Airport, Indore has received this honor for the third consecutive time for 'Best Airport- Rest of India'.
  • Malwa's mural has won the award for the category 'Excellence in Publishing-Hindi'. Earlier, in 2015-16, this honor was given for Simhastha Brochure.
  • Bhopal Brochure has received this award for 'Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material'. Prior to this, the award has been received for Lonely Planet Pocket Books in 2017-18 and CORPORATE BROCHURE of MPSTDC in 2010-11.
  • Mr. Subhash Bhavre, Guide, Pench Tiger Reserve has received the award for 'Best Wildlife Guide, Western-Central'. Shri Manoj Kumar Dwivedi from Panna in 2017-18, Radhika Prasad Omre from Panna in 2016-17 and Saib Khan from Satpura in 2015-16 have received this award.
  • 'Cotyard House', a homestay of Patpara village in Kanha National Park in Mandla district, has bagged the award for 'Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Establishments Approved by State Government'.
• The state has received awards for the first time in the categories “Clean Tourism Place – Western Region” (Ujjain) and “Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Establishment Approved by State Government” (Cottyard House, Homestay, Mandla). Guides of Madhya Pradesh have been awarded for the 'Best Wildlife Guide' for the fourth time in a row.

Water Supply Scheme

Why In News?

• In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on September 27, 2022, the cabinet approved the administrative approval of 23 new group water supply schemes proposed at a cost of Rs 17 thousand 971 crore 95 lakh and one revised group water supply scheme for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission.

Key Points

• The Cabinet approved the decisions received from the Chief Minister in coordination regarding 10×40 MW Maheshwar Hydro Electric Project, District Khargone.
• It was decided to cancel the power purchase contract executed by the then Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board (presently MPPMCL) with M/s Shri Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Limited (SMHPCL) on November 11, 1994 and May 27, 1996 respectively for purchase of power from Maheshwar Hydro Electric Project and the amendment of this contract.
• The contract executed on 24th February, 1997 between M/s SMHPCL and Vidyut Mandal (presently MPPMCL) regarding rehabilitation and resettlement works of the project was cancelled.
• In view of the guarantee given by PFC for OFCD of Rs.400 crore issued by M/s SMHPCL for funding the Maheshwar project, the counter guarantee given by the State Government in favor of PFC as per the provisions of the Mandatory and Restored Agreement has been cancelled.
• The Amendatory and Restored Agreement (A&R. Agreement) executed on 16th September, 2005 with PFC, M/s SMHPCL etc. is canceled in view of the defaults committed by M/s SMHPCL.
• The implementation agreement executed on 27th May, 1996 with M/s SMHPCL and the guarantee provided by the State Government to ensure payment of their electricity dues were cancelled.
• It was decided to accept the second option suggested by the chairman of the task force constituted to resolve the difficulties in the implementation of Maheshwar project, i.e., the matter should be resolved in the IBC petition submitted by PFC to NCLT. Gone.
• To make the 'Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti Yojana' more effective and comprehensive, the cabinet decided to reduce the minimum project limit from 1 lakh to 50,000.
• Now in the scheme, interest subsidy will be paid to the beneficiary on quarterly basis instead of annual. Projects will be accepted in the scheme even if the manufacturing unit is more than Rs 50 lakh or the service / retail business unit is more than Rs 25 lakh, in which in case of acceptance of the case by the bank, the benefit of 3 percent interest subsidy to the beneficiary is maximum 50 lakh or 25 Received only on loan amount up to Rs. lakh and reimbursement of loan guarantee fee should also be done on pro-rata basis. The entire loan given by the bank should be collateral free.
• The age limit for eligibility and financial assistance under Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti Yojna was originally kept at 18 to 40 years, which has now been revised and approved the order from 18 years to 45 years.