Bhopal, Oct 23 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet convened on Thursday, presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and granted approval to extend the short-term scheme for interest-free loans through 2025-26, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity.

Farmers will be able to access crop loans via cooperative banks.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla announced, "The cabinet has opted to sustain the scheme, targeting a disbursement of Rs 23,000 crore under the zero-per cent crop loan initiative this year. Farmers can secure loans up to Rs 3 lakh."

The state will offer a 1.5 percent interest subsidy to all farmers availing crop loans, along with an additional 4 percent incentive for those who repay their loans promptly during the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

According to the Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Patra 2023, the government aims to provide crop loans to farmers at zero per cent interest to stimulate agricultural output.

Additionally, the government has decided to enhance hospital bed facilities in tribal-majority districts such as Tikamgarh, Neemuch, Singrauli, Sheopur, and Dindori.

"The bed capacity in these district hospitals will increase from 1,000 to 1,800. Tikamgarh will have 500 beds, Neemuch 400 beds, Singrauli 400 beds, Sheopur 300 beds, and Dindori 200 beds. The government will allocate Rs 39.50 crore for this purpose," the Deputy Chief Minister stated.

Under the re-densification initiative, the government will permit 100 percent development work on any land put up for auction.

"Currently, only 60 percent of development works are approved, despite the government auctioning land at existing collector-guideline prices in cities," noted the Deputy Chief Minister.

To align with the United Nations' sustainable development goals, the state is set to invest Rs 19.10 crore, translating to Rs 3.82 crore annually, through various methods, including an "online dashboard ranking for districts."

Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leading state in NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, achieving an overall score of 67.

The state excelled in Goal-12 (responsible consumption and production), Goal-15 (life on land), Goal-7 (affordable and clean energy), Goal-6 (clean water and sanitation), Goal-11 (sustainable urban and community development), and Goal-1 (poverty alleviation).

In 2020-21, Madhya Pradesh was recognized as the top-performing state with 62 points.

As per the index (2023-24), Madhya Pradesh has lifted 1.36 crore individuals out of multidimensional poverty, with 97.87 percent of beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act. Furthermore, the state plans to establish a civil court in Malthone, Sagar district.