Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Shri Babulal Gaur called on Union Urban Development Minister Shri Kamalnath here today and handed over to him an action plan chalked out for Narmada River’s conservation by the State Urban Administration & Development Department. He demanded funds to the tune of Rs. 1298.87 crore for solid waste management, sewerage, construction of rain-fed drains and nullahs, cleanliness and plantation.

Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies (independent charge) Shri Paras Jain rewiewed the progress of procurement of wheat on support price and availability of gunny bags at mantralaya here today. Additional Chief Secretary Food Shri Antony Desa, State Cooperative Marketing Federation Managing Director Shri Ajay Tirkey and Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Shri Chandrahas Dube were also present on the occasion.

The representatives of five organisations of Bhopal gas survivors have urged the Group of Ministers on Bhopal to take a long term view while dealing with the issue of hazardous waste and toxic contamination. The GOM will meet on May 21 to discuss issue of disposal of 350MT of toxic waste of Union Carbide as directed by the Supreme Court. The SC has listed the matter for May 28 as it is awaiting decision of GOM on disposal of this waste.

National Rural Livelihood Mission aiming at ensuring economic development of poor rural families is being implemented in 15 districts of Madhya Pradesh in the first phase. Now, livelihood activities of the mission will begin in ten more districts and cover 25 districts under District Poverty Initiative Project. These include 12 thousand 800 villages in 116 development blocks.

Cooperative Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen has directed that maximum quantity of certified seeds should be made available to farmers with a view to increasing agricultural production. Shri Bisen was addressing a meeting of Board of Directors of Madhya Pradesh Seed Federation at Mantralaya on Tuesday. Farmers’ Welfare & Agriculture Development Minister Dr. Ramkrishna Kusmaria, Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri M.M. Upadhyay, Principal Secretary Cooperatives Shri P.C. Meena and Director Agriculture Dr. D.N. Sharma were present on the occasion.

The gross growth rate of Madhya Pradesh was over 10 percent during the 11th Five-Year Plan. Target of 12 percent growth rate is proposed for the 12th Five-Year Plan. This information was given at meeting held in connection with preparations for the meeting of the Planning Commission here today. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Finance Minister Shri Raghavji, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission Shri Babulal Jain and Chief Secretary Shri R. Parasuram were present at the meeting.

In a illegitimate reversal of the decision dated 6th May 2011 of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), prohibiting any closure of the gates of the Maheshwar dam or submergence until completion of rehabilitation and resettlement, on 1st of May 2012, the MOEF has issued permission for the closure of the gates of the Maheshwar dam and for partial filling of the reservoir up to 154 meters.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has instructed that every single grain of wheat should be purchased from farmers and do not let their wheat to rot. Procurement of wheat on support price should not stop at any procurement centre. It is the State Government’s commitment. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan reviewed arrangements for wheat procurement and storage here today.

Madhya Pradesh Pashchim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Limited (MPPVKVCL) chairman and managing director DP Ahuja opined that the power sector in MP is on track to become viable by 2016. He said that the transmission companies are likely to become viable by 2012, West DISCOM by 2013, GENCO and other 2 DISCOMs by 2016.

It is matter of pride and great achievement for Madhya Pradesh that its strategy for primary education will be implemented in eight populous countries of the world including China. This historic decision was taken at an international level workshop of UNESCO held at New Delhi the other day. General Quality Analysis Programme implemented as a pilot project in Madhya Pradesh drew encomiums at the workshop.