Madhya Pradesh Is Big State, It Needs More Grants, Says CM Mohan Yadav

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said because MP is a big state, it has more requirements. “As strengthening a state means boosting the nation, the state’s share of the central taxes should be increased,” Yadav said.

State’s share of central taxes should be increased from 44% to 48%, because a developed India is hardly possible without Madhya Pradesh, he said. Yadav made the statement at a meeting with 16th Finance Commission at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre on Thursday.

The state budget is Rs 3.50 lakh crore which will be doubled in the next five years, he said. Yadav told the Finance Commission that he was working with the neighbouring states to link the rivers for distribution of water. Yadav further said the MP government had worked with its Rajasthan counterpart on Parwati-Kalisindh-Chambal river link project.

The Central Government allotted Rs 90,000 crore for the river link project, Yadav said, adding that for the Ken-Betwa project MP government is working with UP.

Through Regional Investors Conclaves (RICs) and Global Investors Summit (GIS), the state has received proposal worth Rs 30.77 lakh crore for investment, he said. The government is setting up industry cell in every district collectorate, he said.

The government will provide solar pumps to three million farmers to strengthen them, the Chief Minister said. He said the farmers would be provided with power connection for Rs 5. Yadav put up the development and welfare schemes before the Finance Commission and demanded grants. The state government also highlighted its priorities separately.

Country can’t depend only on farm sector for growth, says Panagariya

Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya has appreciated the growth in different sectors in MP and said the state is aware of its future. He made the statement at a meeting with the government officials on Thursday.

The country’s development is hardly possible without the development of the bigger states, he said. Along with development in farm sector, growth in industrial area is also necessary, Panagariya said, adding that a country can barely depend only on agriculture for prosperity.

If the state takes initiatives in some areas, and improves its laws, the Centre will cooperate with it, he said. If there is development, there will be urbanisation, which is necessary, and appropriate steps can be taken towards this direction, he said.

For generating employment, the Centre and the state should work together, he said, adding that making a roadmap for a developed India is a challenge for the commission. The commission is interacting with all the states, and, after holding talks with expert members, the commission will be able to take a decision on allotment of grants, he said.