The Hindu : Maheshwar, Amarkantak named holy cities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004

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Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Maheshwar, Amarkantak named holy cities

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, JAN. 28. The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, which met at Maheshwar today deviating from the normal practice of meeting at the State Secretariat in Bhopal, has decided to declare Maheshwar and Amarkantak as holy cities, where selling of eggs, fish and meat would be prohibited.

The State Cabinet has directed different Government departments to take initiative in 17 specific areas as well as given instructions to prepare a Master Plan for these cities.

While ordering a complete ban on consumption of eggs, meat and fish at Maheshwar and Amarkantak, the Cabinet has also given clear instructions to ensure complete check on cruelty against animals and birds. It has also been decided to prohibit the sale of liquor at these places.

The State Government will also stand a guarantee of Rs. 330 crore to the Power Finance Corporation for the 400 MW Maheshwar Hydel Power Project. This decision is aimed at restarting the stalled work on the project. It has been decided to enter into an agreement with Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation for taking necessary action within a stipulated time frame of 90 days. During this period, the company would finalise the financial tie-ups with the financial institutions and take up project work on priority.

The State Cabinet even approved a new transfer policy today under which there would be a ban on transfer of Government employees at the State and district level for the entire year. However the Chief Minister would be free to relax this ban between April 15 and June 15 each year when the departmental controlling authorities would be able to transfer the subordinate employees.

The transfer policy has been made further flexible as the Chief Minister would also be authorising the Ministers to go ahead with transfers in their departments even during the ban period. Moreover the Ministers-in-charge of districts would also be able to make transfers within the district during the ban period. The Cabinet also discussed the proposal to wind up the State Police Housing Corporation. A final decision in this regard would be taken on the basis of the recommendations of the Cabinet sub-committee, which would comprise the State Finance Minister, Raghavji, and the Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Babulal Gaur.

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Maheshwar, Amarkantak named holy cities