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Shivraj Singh Chouhan began his third innings as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, vowing not to allow any new liquor shop in the state. He also signed an order to provide rice at Re 1 a kg to the poor.
"Why should the poor get rice at Rs 2/kg? From January 1, they will not only get wheat at Re 1/kg, but also rice and salt," Chouhan told a huge gathering at Jamboori Maidan here on Saturday, after taking the oath of office. He also urged the gathering to come forward and support him in the Beti Bachao Abhiyan. Chouhan issued four prominent orders, part of his Vision Document 2018. These related to approach roads to fields, setting up a middle-class commission, a trade promotion board and providing rice at Re 1/ kg. He said his government would also provide 1.5 million houses to the rural and urban poor.
"A total of 5,00,000 houses will be constructed in urban areas and 10,00,000 in rural areas," he announced. "In case we save funds from PDS (Public Distribution System), we will also provide cloth, utensils and other household items to the poor," he said.
Though his government had ensured there were roads to every village, fields weren't connected through motorable roads, he said, adding, "The Khet-Sadak Yojana will take shape with immediate effect and all farms will be connected through motorable roads." He said his government would strive for 20,000-Mw power generation by 2018, against the current 10,600 Mw, and hasten the completion of the Narmada-Kshipra project.
Chouhan said his government would bring more transparency in governance and deal with the corrupt with a heavy hand. "None would be spared, irrespective of his cast and creed. The BJP government would not favour the corrupt," he said.
To promote business and trade, a trade promotion commission would be set up, he said.
A political observer said, "The BJP has started its general election preparations and Chouhan's populist announcements are made to maintain continuity, since the model code of conduct will come into effect by end-March next year. That is why a galaxy of leaders such as Chandrababu Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Advani, Naidu, Modi, Harsh Vardhan and Vashundhara Raje and industrialists from various business houses were present."
