The Hindu : National : Time again for Madhya Pradesh to play role in nation-building: Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006

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National

Time again for Madhya Pradesh to play role in nation-building: Kalam

Lalit Shastri

He suggests 11 missions based on the State's core competencies

— PHOTO: PTI

CALL TO LEGISLATORS: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam addressing legislators at the Assembly Hall during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha in Bhopal on Monday. Governor Balram Jakhar (left) and Assembly Speaker I.D. Rohani are beside him. — PHOTO: PTI

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh contributed significantly to the country's cultural heritage and legacy of development, and the time has come again for the State to play a decisive role in building the nation, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said on Monday.

Addressing the Madhya Pradesh Assembly here to mark its golden jubilee, he suggested 11 missions based on the State's core competencies.

Members of the Assembly, bureaucrats and administrators should ensure that funds for the development of the State were sought in time and utilised fully and effectively. Out of the 48 districts in the State, 18 had been brought under the National Horticultural Mission, which would generate employment for over six million youths and lead to annual revenue of Rs. 40,000 crore by 2016.

Agricultural Mission

The Agricultural Mission would help in increasing cereal and pulses output from 15.5 to 25 million tonnes in four years. The Education and Entrepreneurship Mission should lead to 100 per cent literacy by 2012 and provide full employment to all 1.5 million youths passing out of school and college every year. It would also help in creating centres of excellence in engineering, science, arts and medicine streams.

The Healthcare Mission would eradicate malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy in all districts by 2012, reduce infant mortality rate to 50 per 1000 and maternal mortality to less than 5 per 1000, reach quality healthcare to all citizens including tribal areas, and enhance life expectancy.

The Water Management Mission would help in creating additional storage through water harvesting, leading to a drought-free Madhya Pradesh by 2012.

The initiative in infrastructure development would increase road density to 30 km per 100 sqkm. E-governance would go a long way in creating a transparent, and citizen and investment friendly atmosphere, leading to a prosperous State.

Special circuits should be developed to give a boost to tourism through the Tourism Mission.

Mr. Kalam also stressed the need for creation of six exclusive zones to enable balanced economic growth.

The Tribal Development Mission would provide quality education, quality healthcare and productive employment opportunities to over 14 million tribal citizens.

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