Madhya Pradesh CM said Swadesi based model will pave the way of self-reliance

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that new development model will be adopted to reduce the adverse impact of Corona crisis on economy in Madhya Pradesh. The Swadesi based model will pave the way of self-reliance. It will help strengthen the staggering economy. Taking full advantage of the package announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for economic reforms, Madhya Pradesh will move on the path of growth again with renewed vigour. All arrangements will be firmed up. There will be need to suitably change the life style and functioning.

Shri Chouhan was holding discussions with representatives of national media houses through videoconferencing here today. He also discussed Lockdown-4 with them. Shri Vinay Sahastrabuddhe moderated the discussion. Shri Virendra Sachdeva expressed a vote of thanks.

The Chief Minister said that Corona crisis is a challenge as well as an opportunity. The way global leader Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has tackled the Corona pandemic including imposing lockdown shows his exceptional efficiency, credibility and resoluteness. Shri Chouhan said that the Prime Minister has honoured the federal structure of the country by establishing proper coordination with the states and holding discussion with the Chief Ministers Shri Chouhan. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will draw up a long term strategy to minimize the adverse impact of Corona virus. A draft is being prepared in Madhya Pradesh to formulate a long term policy and to make the local vocal a success.

State Baled Out of a Bad Condition

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said the he assumed office as CM on March 23, 2020 at 9 pm and within an hour at 10 pm he visited Vallabh Bhavan to apprise himself of the situation arising out of Corona crisis. The situation was very bad. It took some time to improve the situation, but the efforts met with success. Dedicated hospitals were arranged. At that time there was only one testing lab in the state and now 15 labs are functioning, with a capacity of conducting 6 thousand tests per day. The number of beds for patients stands at 83 thousand and it will soon be increased to one lakh. The number of positive cases has also increased due to migrant labourers but constant efforts are being made for their treatment and to control the situation. Besides, steps have been taken to educate and awaken people about the precautions against Corona infection. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Corona spread has been effectively controlled by adopting Identification, Isolation, Testing and Treatment policy.

Economic Reforms Made in MP

The Chief Minster Shri Chouhan said that concrete efforts have been made to attract investment in the state by amending labour laws and the Mandi Act has also been amended. Fresh financial resources will be mobilized for which brainstorming is going on. He said that fresh steps will be taken to firm up infrastructure so that the wheel of economy continues to move. Necessary cooperation is being sought from Government of India. Network of cottage and small industries will be laid in the state. Suspended activities in major industrial areas have been resumed. Arrangements in farm sector have been improved. Earlier, farmers had to stand in long lines at Krishi Upaj Mandis, but now they have been provided the facility to sell their produce through Sell Deed. E-trading facility has also been provided. Warehouses have been declared procurement centre and number of these centres has been increased. Farmers have lauded this initiative. Online registration facility has been provided in labour laws. Earlier there were 63 registers and now only one register system has been introduced. System of inspection by labour inspectors has been abolished. A provision has been made to double the wages of labourers by increasing the work hours from 8 to 12 hours. Economic activities must go on. So far, 84 lakh MT wheat has been procured on MSP. About 19 lakh labourers have got employment through MNREGA works. Tendu leaf collection is also in progress. A sum of Rs. 13 thousand 600 crore has been transferred to the accounts of beneficiaries under various schemes. Food grain has been arranged for all. While strengthening MSME sector, a boost will be given to garment industry. Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh and other organizations have endorsed these decisions. Cooperation of the opposition is also being enlisted. The Chief Minister said that he has held discussions with former Chief Ministers of the state.

Facilities to Migrant Labourers

Shri Chouhan said that food and other facilities are being provided to migrant labourers and to ensure their safe return to their respective states by buses. The labourers have been asked not to walk. Screening of labourers is also being done. Foot wares are provided to the labourers as per requirement. Cooperation of voluntary organizations is also sought for this. About 3.84 lakh labourers have already returned. Relief works are also going on for labourers.

Lockdown Arrangement

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that the next phase of lockdown general activities will be allowed in Green Zone with social distancing and in Orange Zone except containment area limited activities will be allowed in remaining areas. In Red Zones, economic activities will be permitted with strict measures. People have been requested to cooperate for success of these arrangements. An appeal for this will be made again in view of the upcoming festivals, he added.