The Madhya Pradesh BJP government on Tuesday approved the financial assistance of Rs one crore, announced earlier by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, to the family of Late Inspector (Special Armed Force) Ashish Sharma of the MP Police Hawk Force, Balaghat, who attained martyrdom on November 19, 2025, during a police encounter with Naxalites under the anti-Naxal campaign.
It was also decided to provide a compassionate appointment to his younger brother, Ankit Sharma, in the post of Sub Inspector in the district police force.
The decisions were approved by the state council of ministers at the meeting of the cabinet presided over by CM Dr Yadav at the State Secretariat in Bhopal.
Late Inspector Ashish Sharma was earlier honoured twice with the Gallantry Medal by the President. He had also been awarded the Internal Service Medal by the former MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2021 and the Difficult Service Medal in 2023. The state government also granted him an out-of-turn promotion in 2023.
The Cabinet also approved a presentation in the State Assembly of a bill regarding the conduct of elections for posts of Chairperson of Nagar Palika and Nagar Parishad through the direct system by voters.
It is notable that from 1999 to 2014, elections for these posts in the state were conducted directly by voters. In 2022, elections for these posts were conducted through the indirect system by elected councillors of wards.
The election of the mayor continues to be conducted through the direct system by voters.