Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha polls be held simultaneously : C.M

 state government would take stern action against the hoarders

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has pleaded that holding of elections frequently results in price rise in the country. 

To support his view point, Shri Chouhan suggested that Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections should be held simultaneously so as to deal with this problem. Shri Chouhan was addressing a meeting of Chief Ministers on price rise convened by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh here today. 

Referring to the statewide drive against the blackmarketeers launched by the state government under the Essential Commodity Act, Shri Chouhan informed that 56 thousand quintals of sugar worth Rs. 17 crore has been seized in the state. 

At the same time, the Chief Minister asserted that the state government would take stern action against the hoarders of wheat, rice and kerosene in the state. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan held the policies of the Centre responsible for price rise all over the country. He said that the state government is all prepared to extend cooperation to tackle the prevailing situation. However, he pointed out that the main role of controlling price rise lies with Central Government.

Referring to the steps being taken by the state government to check price rise, the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that before first of every month stock of foodgrains is sent to the specified places for its distribution to the consumers in the state. Further, decision has been taken to keep the ration-shops open everyday. 

Also, the citizens have been delegated powers to make inspection of the ration-shops. From next financial year, biometric data digitalization based food coupon distribution system would be introduced in the state. Madhya Pradesh Government is importing 50 thousand metric tonnes of sugar and it will be made available soon to the consumers at the rate of Rs.27.50 per kg.

As much as nine thousand tonnes of whet has been made available to the consumers at cheaper rates under the open market sales scheme. Moreover, lifting of wheat under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, BPL and APL is cent percent.

C.M. Draws P.M.’s Attention To State-related Issues

During the conference, the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan drew the attention of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on various issues related with the interests of the state. Drawing the PM’s attention to the Bansagar Irrigation Project, the Chief Minister informed that the dam of this project is already ready for the past several years.

In the absence of permission by the Union Forest and Environment Ministry for construction of canal through the forest land, thousands of acres of land in the project area is lying unirrigated. This is affecting agriculture production adversely. Shri Chouhan urged the Prime Minister that Madhya Pradesh be given the coal mined from the coal mines of the state itself.

In the absence of a port in the state, it will be too costly for Madhya Pradesh to import coal and with the result that the electricity generation would be a costly affair. He further pointed out that less availability of electricity would too decrease the agriculture production because of shrinking of irrigated area.

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that the state government is also giving bonus in addition to the minimum support price announced by the Centre on purchase of wheat in the state. In the last two years, wheat has been procured as per the needs of the state. 

Shri Chouhan requested the Prime Minister that Madhya Pradesh be provided with the wheat produced and procured in the state itself through the godowns of the Food Corporation of India. Shri Chouhan informed that in the year 2009, the state was given 55 thousand metric tonnes of less sugar against the allotment by the central government.

This quantity is equal to the present allotment of six months. Similarly, sugar allotment under the PDS has been reduced by 25 percent from 12 thousand 500 metric tonnes to nine thousand metric tonnes. This should be given as per the earlier arrangements.

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that rise in prices has affected not only BPL but everyone. There should be a long term action plan to tackle the prevailing price rise situation in the country., The land use under agriculture produce is gradually shrinking and being diverted to SEZ. In fact, SAZ (Special Agriculture Zone) should be encouraged instead of the SEZ (Special Economic Zone). Urgent steps should be taken by Government of India to tackle the price rise situation prevailing in country, or else it get worse and difficult to handle, Shri Chouhan added.