MP earmarks Rs 421 cr to create more jobs

The plan is to develop forests on an area of 47615 hectares of land in 9500 villages approximately. Self-help groups will be created and trained to plant trees of Amla (Pyllanthus Emblica), Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Bamboo (Bambucicletas), Karanj (Pogamia Pnnata), Castor seed (Alpha Geminorum), etc., in 18 districts.

"The necessary procedure of identification and preparation of land will be completed by June 30 so that unemployed people can get jobs in rainy season," a spokesperson said adding, "Government will invest Rs 441,000 in each village Panchayat to develop the forests on an area of 47615 hactares of land. During the first year an amount of Rs 177000 will be invested on tilling, while an amount of Rs 261624 will be earmarked for wages in each Panchayat."

Initially the districts of Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Betul, Khandwa, Dhar, Mandla, Khargone, Jhabua, Barwani, Shahdol, Seoni, Satna, Sidhi, Balaghat, Dindori and Umaria have been identify for the project.

The scheme came under lens recently when the state government reportedly converted the Central government planned Employment Guarantee Scheme as "Madhya Pradesh Gramin Rojgar Guarantee Scheme" to offer guaranteed employment for 100 days.

"Development works stalled during rainy season as a results labourers, villagers and those who live in remote areas remain unemployed during. The scheme will have dual benefit; forestation as well as employment creation," said the spokesperson.

People will be offered jobs in form of self-help groups and will be employed in all activities like tilling, plantation of saplings, irrigation and maintenance of the plants.

The government sees a potential in Amla and Neem for ayurvedic medicines manufacturers, Bamboo for paper manufacturers, Karanj and Castor seed for bio-diesel plants. The results will be visible only after implementation of the scheme.