Bhopal, Jan 27: Governor Dr Balram Jakhar has termed as necessary active participation of all sections of society in the implementation of scheme for the betterment of the state. Dr Jakhar was addressing a massive public meeting at the Lal Parade Ground here on the occasion of 58th anniversary of Indian Republic after unfurling the national flag. Dr Jakhar exhorted the residents of the state to work unitedly with communal harmony for the prosperity of the state.

On this occasion Governor Dr Jakhar extended greetings of Republic Day to citizens of the state and urged them to recall with reverence Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and great people who laid down their lives for the country's freedom as well as those who worked for its reconstruction. Dr Jakhar said that Madhya Pradesh is touching new heights of progress and development by moving shoulder to shoulder with the country as well as the world. Today, Madhya Pradesh is known as the fastest progressing state in the country. Most important point of its development is that it is being done by maintaining a balance between physical infrastructure and social development. Equal attention is being given to agriculture and industry. Suggestions are being sought by organising Panchayats of concerning people before chalking out plans and schemes for various groups and sections of society. He said that I am taking pride in saying that Madhya Pradesh, which was once ridiculed for its poor roads, is now being known for its smooth and good roads. During the last four years, the stat government has constructed and improved 32 thousand kilometre roads. Besides, sanction has been given for construction of 114 large bridges and five railway over bridges. These efforts have opened new vistas of progress in the state.

Making a mention of agriculture, Governor Dr Jakhar said that the economy of Madhya Pradesh is based on agriculture. Solid efforts have been undertaken in the state to make agriculture as a business of profit. Holding of Agri Business Meet is definitely a meaningful initiative in the direction of providing opportunity to farmers to get better prices for their products. Ten new districts have been included in National Horticulture Mission. For providing relief to drought-hit people complex rules and regulations prevalent since the British rule, have been amended. Under the scheme of providing Kisan Cards to farmers, 30 lakh Kisan Cards have been provided. New criteria for declaring an area as drought-hit have been formulated for the benefit of farmers and villagers. For providing social security to farmers, Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana has been implemented. Dr Jakhar informed that top priority has been given to irrigation during the last four years. During this period irrigation facility has been extended to four and half lakh hectare area. Projects like Ban Sagar dam, Rajghat canal project, Mahi sub-dam and Maan dam, which were lying pending for the last many years have been completed. With the help of NABARD, funds to the tune of Rs 2420 crore have been received for six large, 22 medium and 680 small irrigation projects. Two and half fold increase has been effected in the irrigation budget during the last four years.

The Governor said in his address that well-planned efforts were made by the state government for overcoming power crisis. Last year 500 megawatt extension unit of Birsinghpur Thermal Power Plant and Manikhera Hydel Power Plant's 20 megawatt unit were started. This year the maximum demand of 6500 megawatt power was met which is 7 percent more than the last year and a record in the history of the state.

Dr Jakhar informed that jobs of their choice were provided to 32 lakh families under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Forty-eight thousand works were completed with a cost of Rs 1500 crore while one lakh 16 thousand works are under progress. Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana was started for providing houses to houseless families belonging to scheduled castes and tribes. Nine lakh 91 thousand works were sanctioned under Jalabhishek Abhiyan with a cost of Rs 6 thousand crore.

The Governor said that for the first time in the state, a special incentive package has been prepared for attracting bio-technological industries to the state. Effective steps have been taken for the betterment of forest, forest dwellers and tribals who are dependant of forests. Pending Tendu Patta bonus of the years 2005 and 2006 is being distributed among the Tendu Patta collectors.

The state government has started a unique scheme 'Ladli Laxmi' for uplift of girls and ending the tendency among the people to term girls as burden. So far, more than 13 thousand newly-born girls have been given benefit of this scheme. Under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana, the state government has arranged 60 thousand marriages from its own expenses. Special attention has been given to girls education. From this year even scheduled tribes and castes girls studying in class XI are being provided free cycles to reach the distant schools. For the education of girls of those villages which do not have middle schools, 254 Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools have been established. Usha Kiran scheme has been started for giving succour to women hit by violence over dowry or domestic violence. During the last two years, 20 thousand Angwadis have been opened and 20 thousand Anganwadi workers and assistant workers have been appointed. A decision has been taken to provide free text-books to students of class XII from this year. For BPL families of urban areas Pratibha Kiran scheme has been launched. Recently, 1119 primary schools were upgraded as middle schools and sanction was given for creation of 10 thousand five hundred posts of teachers.

Governor Dr Jakhar said that the state government has taken the decision to open one high school at every five kilometre. In this series, about 737 high schools are being opened this year. Sampoorna Shiksha Gram scheme is being implemented for ensuring people's participation and improvement in the quality of education at the primary level.

The law and order situation in the state is also better in comparison to other states and peace is prevailing in Madhya Pradesh. Infamous dacoit gangs have been eliminated and people have been rid of dacoits' terror and their faith in the administration has been restored. Dr Jakhar said that dedicated efforts are being undertaken for the development of all the sections of society by the state government.

UNPRECEDENTED ACHIEVEMENTS: CM

Meanwhile in Balaghat, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that apart from constant efforts towards fulfilling its promises, the Madhya Pradesh government has secured unprecedented achievements also in various fields. On the occasion of Republic Day, Chouhan has appealed to all the citizens to become a partner in the efforts to make Madhya Pradesh a prosperous and developed state.

Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the people after taking salute at the attractive Republic Day function at Balaghat today.

COLOURFUL CULTURAL PROGRAMME AMIDST MELODIOUS TUNES

Governor Dr Balram Jakhar was the chief guest the colourful cultural programmes held amidst melodious tunes at Lal Parade Ground to mark 58 anniversary of India's freedom. Among the programmes was a soulful presentation by the students of Carmel Co-ed School which filled the people, especially the children, with the sense of national unity and sacrifice.

The second attractive programme was presented by the students of Scholars' Home Public School, Arera Colony who rendered the soulful song 'Jai Bharati, Vande Bharati, duniya mein naa chahun swarg ko jana, war do mata rahun Bharat ka deewana'. The song was accompanied by colourful and attractive dance which drew audience profuse applause. The students also presented Bhagoria dance of traditional Jhabua tribals, Chada dance of tribals of Dindori district and also the dance of Baiga tribals who live in remote and deep forests. These dances were presented by the students wearing the traditional and colourful dresses various tribes.

The Republic Day function was marked by demonstration of karate, fencing, wushu and taikwondo by the members of Martial Arts Academy being run by Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Department. It was for the first time that demonstration of these martial arts was given at the Republic Day function.

In the third phase of the function, 21 tableaux prepared on the theme of development were displayed. First tableau was on the theme of welcome by Horticulture Department, followed by Industry Department's tableau depicting leading tribal communities on the path of progress, Police Department's tableau giving the message of curbing addiction among youth, crimes and violence, Water Resources Department's tableau titled 'Jahan hai Narmada, Betwa aur Ken, wahan hai sukh samridhhi aur chan', Jail Department's tableaux on the theme of spreading computer education and inspiring children to imbibe etiquette. The tableau on the theme of 150 years of India's struggle was quite impressive. Forest Department's tableau on the theme of water conservation, Adi Vidrohi of 1857 by Vanya Prakashan also drew people's attention. Other departments and institutions also displayed attractive tableaux on this occasion.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS PARADE PLATOON AND TABLEAU STAND FIRST

On the occasion of march past at the state level at Republic Day function the parade platoon of Special Armed Force of Madhya Pradesh Police was adjudged first. Similarly, the tableau of Madhya Pradesh Police depicting developmental activities of Madhya Pradesh was also declared first.

Governor Dr Balram Jakhar was the chief guest at the function. In the march past for giving salute to the Governor, 21 platoons of various forces and NCC took part. In the results announced soon after the parade the platoon of Central Industrial Security Force was adjudged second followed by the platoon of Rapid Action Force which stood third. Among the non-force platoons taking part in the march past the platoon of NCC Army Wing was adjudged first, NCC Air Wing second and NCC Naval Wing third.

Similarly, 21 tableaux of various departments were taken out in which Madhya Pradesh Police's tableau was adjudged first, Jail Department's tableau second and Water Resources Department's tableau was stood third. Police Department's tableau was on the theme of police's role in curbing increasing addiction among youth, violence and crime. The tableau also depicted ultra modern appliances including mine detectors, explosives detector, non-linear junction detector, and RTVS and countering terrorists' activities with the help of these appliances.