Chouhan rules out cabinet expansion at present

Shajapur, MP, May 12 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today ruled out the possibility of a cabinet expansion at present.

''At present, my priority is to make the administration more responsive and bringing about development in the state. Effective steps will be taken towards this direction,'' Mr Chouhan told reporters here today.

He said small agro-related industries will be developed and food processing will be carried out on a large scale.

Commenting upon the achievements of the state government, Mr Chouhan said 12,000 km roads were constructed in the past two-and-half years, while 40,000 km roads will be built in the next two years.

The Chief Minister said the government had accorded priority to complete pending irrigation projects and had developed irrigation capacity in 98,000 hectare area in the past two years.

He claimed that additional irrigation capacity in 3 lakh hectare area will be developed in the next two years.

Earlier, while addressing a public meeting, Mr Chouhan said public participation will be ensured in implementing 'Jalabhishek Abhiyan'. He called upon farmers to dig wells and ponds to conserve water.

Admitting that power situation was bad, he said the problem will be resolved to quite an extent after the completion of power projects next year.

UNI XC-PS VD RN1906