The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday approved several public welfare initiatives and development projects worth Rs 5,960 crore aimed at promoting the state’s overall development, public welfare, and cultural heritage.
The decisions were taken at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at the State Secretariat in Bhopal.
As per the decisions, the Cabinet approved Rs 1,740.57 crore for the continuation of the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and the Kalyani Vivah Sahayata Yojana for the next five years from April 1, 2026, to strengthen women’s empowerment and social upliftment.
The Cabinet also gave in-principle approval to a major education initiative involving upgradation of government middle schools and high schools. Other decisions were taken regarding revised conditions for short-term crop loans at zero per cent interest, establishment of a new Government Law College in Shujalpur, continuation of expenditure exceeding Rs 3,580 crore under the Targeted Public Distribution System, and electrification works in tribal areas.
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Sahayata Yojana has been operational in the state since April 1, 2006. The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 55,000 per beneficiary for the marriage of eligible girls, widows, and deserted women from poor, needy, and destitute families through mass marriage ceremonies. Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, financial assistance exceeding Rs 989.80 crore was provided to 1,72,905 beneficiaries under the scheme.
The Cabinet granted in-principle approval for upgrading government middle schools into high schools and high schools into higher secondary schools to improve educational access and quality.
Under the plan, during 2026-27, 75 middle schools will be upgraded to high schools and 100 high schools will be upgraded to higher secondary schools. Similar upgradation of 75 middle schools and 100 high schools will be undertaken annually during 2027-28 and 2028-29. Approval was also given for an estimated expenditure of Rs 635.24 crore for the initiative.
Under the Viksit Madhya Pradesh@2047 vision, the state aims to achieve a 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2029. Based on district-level mapping, there is a requirement for 315 high schools and 214 higher secondary schools.
As per state government officials, currently the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio stands at 75 per cent at the high school level and 55 per cent at the higher secondary level. The transition rate from Class 8 to Class 9 is 77 per cent, while it is 68 per cent from Class 10 to Class 11. The initiative seeks to address accessibility issues that often lead to lower enrolment and higher dropout rates.
The Cabinet approved revised conditions for providing short-term crop loans to farmers at zero per cent interest during 2026-27.
Officials said that instead of maintaining separate due dates for Kharif and Rabi crop loans, a single annual credit limit will be introduced, with separate sub-limits for cash and commodity loans. The due date will be fixed at 12 months from the date of first withdrawal under the approved annual limit.
Farmers availing short-term crop loans will receive a 1.25 per cent interest subsidy, while those repaying loans by the due date will be eligible for an additional 4 per cent incentive subsidy from the state government.
The scheme, operational since 2012-13 through Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies affiliated with District Central Cooperative Banks, ensures that farmers borrowing up to Rs 3 lakh for short-term crop loans pay no interest if they repay within the stipulated period.
The Cabinet approved Rs 3,580.07 crore for continued operation of transportation and commission reimbursement under the Targeted Public Distribution System from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, covering period of the 16th Central Finance Commission.