MP cabinet clears Rs 2,480 crore for development, sports and technology initiatives
Bhopal, July 28
The Council of Ministers, chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday, approved financial proposals worth nearly Rs 2,480 crore aimed at accelerating the state's overall growth, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing welfare schemes, a press release said on Tuesday.
The meeting ratified a series of decisions spanning sports, irrigation, women's empowerment, information technology, and farmers' welfare, reflecting the government's push for balanced development across sectors, it said.
One of the most prominent announcements was the in-principle approval of Rs 18.74 crore for hosting the prestigious Women's Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in Bhopal this October.
The international tournament, to be jointly organised by Hockey India and the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, will bring together six leading Asian teams-India, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand. The event is expected to showcase the state's modern sports infrastructure, boost tourism, and inspire local athletes, the release said.
The Cabinet also cleared major irrigation projects to support farmers, and Rs 111 crore was sanctioned for the continued operation of the Rihand Micro-Irrigation Project in Singrauli, which will benefit 38,000 hectares across 119 villages, said the release.
Similarly, Rs 184 crore was approved for the Malhargarh Pressurised Major Lift Irrigation Project in Mandsaur, designed to irrigate 46,500 hectares. In addition, the government reaffirmed its commitment to providing bonus payments to farmers over and above the support price, ensuring greater financial security for cultivators.
Technology and employment featured prominently in the decisions. A sum of Rs 857 crore was sanctioned for science and technology initiatives, including Rs 85 crore for establishing a drone technology-based Centre of Excellence at IISER Bhopal.
The Cabinet also approved Rs 595 crore for the continuation of IT parks in Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Gwalior, extending their operations until 2031. These parks are expected to generate employment for nearly 8,000 youths, positioning Madhya Pradesh as a hub for innovation and digital infrastructure.
Women's empowerment received a significant boost with Rs 198 crore allocated under Mission Shakti, while Rs 982 crore was earmarked for employee welfare and pension schemes.
The Cabinet further approved the establishment of a new circle office for the Electrical Safety Inspectorate in Gwalior and sanctioned nine new judicial posts in Narayangarh, strengthening administrative and legal frameworks.
By combining investments in sports, agriculture, technology, and social welfare, the decisions taken at Tuesday's meeting reflect the government's vision of inclusive growth.
Hosting an international hockey tournament alongside expanding IT parks and irrigation projects underscores Madhya Pradesh's ambition to emerge as a leader in both development and global engagement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The irrigation projects are exactly what our farmers need! 38,000 hectares in Singrauli and 46,500 hectares in Mandsaur - that's a lot of land that will benefit. And bonus over MSP is a welcome step. But I wish they'd allocated more for women's empowerment under Mission Shakti - Rs 198 crore sounds a lot but spread across the state, it's not that much.
Rs 2,480 crore is a big number but let's see how much actually reaches the ground. The Rihand Micro-Irrigation project was announced last year too - hope this time it actually gets completed. Hockey tournament is good for tourism, but we need more focus on grassroots sports. Bhopal should get a proper stadium upgrade for this event.
Great to see Rs 982 crore for employee welfare and pension schemes - our government workers deserve better. But I'm curious about the Rs 595 crore for IT parks - will these actually create quality jobs for our youth? Indore and Bhopal have potential but need proper ecosystem. Also, nine new judicial posts in Narayangarh - long overdue! 🏛️
As a farmer from Mandsaur, I'm happy about the Malhargarh lift irrigation project. Water is our biggest challenge and this will change lives in 46,500 hectares. But the government should also focus on repairing existing canals and water bodies. Sports and tech are fine, but agriculture is the backbone of MP. 👍
K Kavya N Mixed feelings We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.