Ahead of MP Civic Polls, CM Shivraj Chouhan Announces Rs 44,000-cr Sops for Urban Rejuvenation

Ahead of the civic polls in the state, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has chalked out the facelift project for 407 urban settings in the state as the chief minister announced Rs 44,000-crore worth projects to be materialised in the next five years.

Kick-starting the projects on Friday, Chouhan transferred cash amounts in the bank accounts of beneficiaries under various schemes of Nagar Uday programme in Bhopal. A total of Rs 1,602 crore were transferred in the beneficiary accounts under PM Housing Scheme and PM Swa-Nishi Yojana on Friday.

A total of Rs 1,331 crore were sanctioned for roads in urban areas and the state government said it has already given Rs 59 crore to urban bodies in the past for the same purpose. Rs 660 crore were given for roads on Friday and Rs 299 crore shall be released shortly. The latter amount will be spent on pollution control, potable water and sanitation.

Besides Rs 3,000 cr were sanctioned under various schemes. Also, Rs 810 crore of the 15th Finance Commission were transferred to authorities concerned and foundations were laid for works worth Rs 500 cr worth and roadmap for five yearly development for urban bodies was released.

After regaining power in Madhya Pradesh last year, Shivraj government plans to establish authority in civic and panchayat bodies in the upcoming polls.

Sources also claimed that the announcements also stamped on rumours that the local body polls could take place anytime soon. The polls have been delayed due to COVID-19 situation in the state.

However, the opposition Congress wasn’t impressed with the announcements. “At the stroke of civic polls, CM Shivraj is against out breaking fake coconuts. Shivraj is an expert in this. State government has started fake announcements, foundation laying and serving fake data worth crores of rupees to mislead public,” MPCC chief Kamal Nath tweeted.