BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has asked the State Government officials and people's representatives to remain committed to development and work with full dedication for the progress of the State.

The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting attended by Members of Parliament, MLAs and Zila Panchayat presidents of Bhopal and Hoshangabad divisions here on Thursday. The meeting had been convened to take up development-related issues of the Bhopal-Hoshangabad divisions.

The Chief Minister said steps would soon be taken to ensure allocation of funds to panchayats as recommended by the 12th Finance Commission. This was necessary for proper utilisation of funds, he added.

He also told the people's representatives that the authorities concerned have been instructed to stop recovery of electricity bills from small farmers and also to defer their arrests.

Responding to suggestions from some MLAs, the Chief Minister announced that a special cell would be set up to facilitate the process for securing permission to use forest land for development purpose.

This cell would pursue cases with the Bhopal-based regional office of Government of India for securing permission to use forest land for development related activities, he said.

The Chief Minister particularly drew attention towards the need for good roads and said that the pending development works should be taken up on priority. He also announced an inquiry into irregularities committed in construction of the Piparia-Narsinghpur road.

While the Chief Minister has sought the cooperation of people's representatives and asked the State officials to coordinate their efforts for speedy development of the State, he has also stressed the need for uninterrupted teaching work in schools and colleges.

Following his direct intervention, the State Government has imposed a ban on the transfers of teachers, lecturers and professors in the School and Higher Education Departments till the end of the 2005-06 academic session.

Under the State Government's existing transfer policy, the Ministers were authorised to order transfers but the latest ban has been imposed to ensure uninterrupted teaching work.

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