Bhopal, Dec 12 (NationPress) Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav emphasized on Friday that tackling the Naxal issue and moving the Ken-Betwa river linking project from concept to reality stands as the most significant accomplishment of his administration in the last two years.

During his term, he indicated that his government has fast-tracked development initiatives across the state while enhancing law and order. Curbing corruption has been a central focus, and he noted that significant progress has been made in this regard.

In a media address, Dr Yadav stated that the swift advancement was made possible through the insightful leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that governance centered on the public remains his top priority. “For any representative, serving the constituents should be paramount, and I share that sentiment,” he remarked.

Reflecting on the history of Naxalism in Madhya Pradesh, Dr Yadav recounted how small factions began appearing in Mandla, Dindauri, and Balaghat around 1988-89. This period saw severe incidents, including the massacre of an entire police squad and the tragic killing of a high-ranking cabinet minister. However, the previous Congress government failed to devise a solid strategy.

“The situation was exacerbated by kangaroo courts, informal policing, and ministerial roles. Combating the Naxals was challenging due to the vast forested areas that needed to be navigated with limited resources,” the Chief Minister explained.

“We have achieved a landmark success against Maoism in the red corridor, and our forces excelled. Within just 42 days, we witnessed the surrender of 42 Maoists and neutralization of 10 notorious Naxalites,” he commented, adding, “We can confidently declare that Madhya Pradesh is now Naxal-free.”

Regarding the Ken-Betwa river linking project, he noted it as another remarkable achievement of the past two years, made possible with central assistance.

On Simhastha, the CM stated, “Reviving the Kshipra river to be alive, perennial, and clean was a daunting task. We initiated an Rs 800-crore project, ensuring that during the upcoming Simhastha, devotees can immerse themselves in the pure Kshipra waters without needing water from the Narmada, which was necessary previously. We have set aside Rs 2,005 crore for Simhastha 2028.”

Concerning the PM MITRA Park, Dr Yadav remarked, “Our Prime Minister gifted the inaugural PM MITRA Park in Dhar district on his birthday, and we allocated land for various industries the same day.”

The Chief Minister announced a budget of Rs 40,804 crore for overall development and welfare of tribal communities, marking a 23.4% increase compared to the previous budget. The remuneration for tendu leaf collectors has risen from Rs 3,000 per standard bag to Rs 4,000.

Additionally, 66 mobile medical units have been launched across 21 districts under the PM Janman Yojana, and Rs 275 crore has been allocated to support 850 MSME units to empower women entrepreneurs. In the fiscal year 2024-25, crop loans amounting to Rs 21,232 crore were provided to over 35 lakh farmers, which is Rs 1,286 crore more than the previous year. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, insurance claims of Rs 961.68 crore were disbursed in 2023-24, alongside Rs 1,275.86 crore in 2024-25. More than 24.14 lakh disaster-affected farmers received over Rs 2,106.64 crore in assistance.

Among the key initiatives, CM Yadav disclosed that his government allocated Rs 40,000 crore for economically disadvantaged sections and introduced a Price Difference Scheme to protect farmers. Additional measures include incentives for livestock farmers to enhance milk production, the Rahgeer Yojana for timely treatment of road accident victims, and the Sarathi portal to facilitate online transport services.

Highlighting the scale of investments attracted in two years, Dr Yadav noted that it has reached Rs 8.57 lakh crore, with numerous projects advancing beyond initial planning stages. “A total of 881 units have been allocated land, with 141 already in production,” the CM stated. He predicted that the total investment would generate 23 lakh jobs.

“Our aim was to assess the past two years and create a roadmap for the next three years,” Dr Yadav affirmed.

He also pointed out reforms designed to empower women and farmers. The Ladli Bahna scheme has been enhanced, increasing monthly support from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500, while the promotion of natural farming and solar power generation on agricultural land is being emphasized for sustainable livelihoods.

The government announced a 35% reservation for women in recruitment, in addition to creating 46,491 new posts in health institutions and appointing 22,000 police personnel. A dedicated battalion for backward tribal groups under the Shaurya Sankalp Yojana and financial aid for families of martyrs further highlight the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and welfare.

On the development front, Madhya Pradesh has approved several significant projects, including the PM MITRA Park, the Solar Plus Storage Project in Morena, and green light for the Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river link projects. The state has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra for the Tapi Basin Mega Recharge Project.

Infrastructure improvements are underway with the inauguration of the Indore Metro, the establishment of five new airports, and the revitalization of the State Transport Corporation. Ujjain will become home to the state’s first Medicity and Government Medical College, while Raisen district will see the manufacturing of rail coaches. The Ratapani Sanctuary has been designated as a Tiger Reserve, and religious tourism is being promoted with initiatives such as the Shri Ram Raja Lok in Orchha.

Dr Yadav concluded by reaffirming his government’s commitment to achieve a Naxal-free Madhya Pradesh by January 2026 and eradicate poverty under the Garib Kalyan Mission. “This is a moment of joy,” he stated, “and we are unwavering in our dedication to serving the people with purpose and vision.”