Bhopal, Mar 18: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh has urged Dewas-based industrialists to give priority to local people in employment in their units. He said that industrial development would hold true to its objectives when it benefits the masses. The Chief Minister was addressing representatives of Association of Industries, Dewas at the conference hall of Tata International Limited yesterday.

Industrialists must strive to ensure that benefits of development percolate to the masses and maximum number of local people get jobs in their units, said Chief Minister Chouhan adding that the dream of prosperity and development would remain unfulfilled unless jobs to local people are provided on priority basis.

The Chief Minister said that he was aware of the problems pointed out by the industrialists. He said that he was in constant touch with industrialists for the last couple of years. Talking about investors' meet held recently in the state, Chief Minister said that for the development and prosperity of Madhya Pradesh, he had been talking to industrialists and inviting them to invest in the state. The Chief Minister gave instructions for redressal of major problems faced by Dewas industrialists.

At the outset, secretary of Association of Industries, Dewas Ashok Khandeliya submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister while enumerating industrialists' problems and potential of development. Those present on the occasion included Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs Tukojirao Puar, Minister of State for Education and in charge minister of the district Paras Jain, MP of Dewas-Shajapur constituency Thawar Chand Gehlot, representatives of Association of Industries, Dewas and government officers.

Camps to write off farmers power bills

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Mar 18: Farmers in the state are in for a bonanza as power companies have chalked out a strategy to write off 100 per cent surcharge and 50 per cent energy charge of the power bills due against them for using water pumps. Accordingly, the power companies have instructed field officers to organise special camps under Krishak Vidyut Rahat Yojana (Farmers' Power Relief Scheme).

The companies have urged the consumers of agriculture pumps to avail benefit of this scheme being conducted by the state government. Under the scheme, as on January 31, 2008, hundred per cent surcharge and 50 per cent energy charge of the bills for consuming power for running up to 10 HP capacity agriculture pumps would be waived. State government would bear the expenses on waiver of 50 per cent energy charge while the expenditure on writing off 100 percent surcharge would be borne by the power companies. Two options have been given for payment of 50 percent energy charge.

Under the first option, on lump sum payment of 50 per cent energy charge, rest of the 50 per cent energy charge and 100-power surcharge would be waived. Besides, the farmer would be given 10 percent additional rebate proportional to the amount deposited by him. The last date for availing this object is May 31, 2008.

Under the second option, agriculture pump consumers have been given instalment facility. Accordingly, they can pay the due amount of 50 per cent energy charge in four equal six-monthly instalments. If a defaulter pays three instalments simultaneously by May 31, 2008, he would be given additional rebate of 7.5 per cent. Five per cent more rebates would be given if the farmer pays all the instalments simultaneously by May 31, 2008. Under the second option, the first instalment must invariably be paid by May 31, 2008. Amount of surcharge would be totally waived if a defaulter agriculture pump consumer pays the instalments regularly.