Bhopal/Indore, Apr 26:
Amidst slew of measures and poor-friendly schemes launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ever since he took reins of the state, the state government in its biggest ever welfare initiative, kicked-off yet another populist scheme - christened as `Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojna' on Saturday. Under the scheme, people living below the poverty-line will be provided grains like wheat and the rice at the subsidized rates of Rs 3 and Rs 4.50 per kg respectively. The move will benefit about 62 lakh BPL families in the state. The scheme which among the political circle of the state is being touted as a pre-poll bonanza for the poor, will entail a cost of Rs 213 crore to the government.
Kicking off the campaign both in Bhopal and Indore on Saturday, the chief minister said the Annapurna Yojana has been launched to rid the poor of the state of hunger. The scheme would provide great relief to them in these times of ever-increasing price rise.
While former BJP president, Venkaiyah Naid graced the launching ceremony of the scheme in Bhopal, the same was kicked-off in Indore in the presence of Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi. On the occasion, selected BPL families were provided packets of grains at subsidized rates.
Chouhan said the state government was prompted to launch the Annapurna Yojna due to injustice meted out by the central government in adequate foodgrains to the state. Lashing out at the central government for lowering the number of BPL families in the state from 62 lakh to 41 lakh, thereby reducing the allocation of foodgrains to Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj said at no cost his government will tolerate injustice and accordingly will observe 24-hour fast in Bhopal on April 30 to air his government's protest against the central government. Ministers, members of Parliament and MLAs would also follow suit to draw central government's attention in this regard.
Threatening stern against those, who will found to be misusing the scheme, Chouhan said his government had taken strict measures to curb anti-farmer activities and he himself had been making surprise inspections of mandis to check irregularities. Efforts would continue to ensure remunerative returns to farmers of their produce and those found indulging in hindering it, would be strict dealt with.
Appreciating the Madhya Pradesh government's move of giving foodgrains to the poor in the state at subsidized rate, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in Indore said that in an era of soaring prices, the distribution of subsized foodgrains among the poor at subsized rates is worth laudable. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh and his government deserve plaudit for initiating series of welfare steps for the benefits of the poor, Modi said adding that taking a leaf from the success of Madhya Pradesh government he will also try to replicate the success of these schemes in Gujarat. Modi said he was a great admirer of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh, particularly for the moves initiated by him for the welfare of the poor, the farmers and womenfolk respectively.
Former BJP president, Venkaiya Naidu while participating in the launching of the Annapurna Yojna in Bhopal, said the scheme will prove to be a boon for the poor families reeling under ever increasing prices. Taking a leaf from the Madhya Pradesh government, the central government should introduce this scheme in entire country by amending the constitution, he added.
By Krishna K Jha
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