Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday, 31 October 2026, announced development projects worth over ₹443 crore for Betul district, covering irrigation infrastructure, sports facilities, tribal welfare, education, road widening, and tourism. The announcement was made during a public programme in Betul, where Yadav outlined a wide-ranging package aimed at accelerating the district's overall growth.

Irrigation and Water Infrastructure

The centrepiece of the package is the Ramghati Medium Irrigation Project, to be developed at a cost of ₹154 crore. In addition, four reservoirs will be constructed for ₹70 crore, and a barrage and reservoir will also come up in Ghodadongri. A separate ₹50 crore allocation has been earmarked for tap water scheme works across the district.

Sports, Education and Tribal Welfare

Betul will receive football turfs, indoor stadiums, and outdoor stadiums at a combined cost of over ₹100 crore. A tribal museum will also be established to preserve the culture and traditions of local tribal communities. On the education front, Yadav announced ₹50 crore for a girls' education complex and hostel for tribal students, alongside another ₹50 crore for upgrading government high schools. Road widening works will receive ₹47 crore.

Tourism Push for Kukru-Khamla and Tapti Reserve

The Chief Minister earmarked ₹15 crore for tourism development in the Kukru-Khamla area, where coffee plantations are planned. A safari gate in the Tapti Conservation Reserve will be built for ₹7 crore, and a butterfly park will come up at a cost of ₹3 crore. 'Betul is known for its rich forest wealth and natural beauty. These development works will give fresh impetus to the district's overall development,' Yadav told the gathering.

Bonus Payments to Tendu Leaf Collectors

During the programme, Yadav distributed bonus payments of over ₹30 crore to 3.69 lakh tendu leaf collectors associated with seven forest divisions. He noted that the state government had raised the remuneration for tendu leaf collection from ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 per standard bag and had disbursed more than ₹80 crore to collectors so far. 'More than 3.69 lakh tendu leaf collectors have received over ₹30 crore as bonus. This is recognition of their hard work and their rightful entitlement,' Yadav stated.

BJP State Chief Speaks; Patel Statue Unveiled

Bharatiya Janata Party state president Hemant Khandelwal, who is also an MLA from Betul, said the increase in tendu leaf collection remuneration reflected the government's commitment to tribal welfare. Earlier in the day, Yadav and Khandelwal jointly unveiled a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Badora village. The day's events underline the ruling BJP's focus on Betul, a district with a significant Scheduled Tribe population, ahead of future electoral cycles in Madhya Pradesh.