Put development on mission mode: Kalam

Bhopal, July 17: Advocating to put development on a mission mode to make Madhya Pradesh a developed state by 2015, President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam today suggested 11 missions to strive for progress in agriculture, horticulture, education, glogal human resource cadre, healthcare, water management, infrastructure development, e-governance, tourism promotion, special economic zone and tribal development.

Addressing the legislators on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, which began its 12-day monsoon session today, Dr Kalam said funds for integrated action for development could be generated from Bharat Nirman programme, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Employment guarantee scheme.

''Members of the Assembly, bureaucrats and the administrative system have to ensure that funds are sought in time and are fully and effectively utilised for the purpose for which they have been allocated,'' he said.

The core competence of Madhya Pradesh, according to Dr Kalam, are mineral and forest resources, water resources, agro-climatic zones, wildlife preserves and cultivation of oilseeds and pulses.

Stressing the need for promoting horticulture with food processing in all 48 districts, he said at least 10 lakh hectares should be brought under horticulture and floriculture in 10 years.

Food processing units could be created as a cooperative venture to ensure value addition to farmers.

Lauding the state's initiative in river linking project, the President said the irrigated area should be doubled in few years in partnership with NABARD. Production of cereal should be increased from 12.2 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes and pulses from 3.3 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes in four years.

Soyabean productivity should be increased from 1,000 kg to at least 2,000 kg per hectare against international productivity of around 3,000 Kg per hectare.

Stating that dairy has great potential in the state, he said per capita availability of milk should be increased from 233 grams to at least 500 grams per day.

Stressing for urgent remedial action on literacy and school drop-out, Dr Kalam said the state government could consider 5 of the 69 engineering colleges, 2 of the 8 medical colleges and two universities as centres of excellence. In addition, all universities and its affiliated colleges should progressively get themselves ISO certified.

Universities and other educational system should strive to create a global cadre of skilled youth with specific knowledge of special skills and another global cadre of youth with higher education.

Recalling the launch of mobile health clinics in Uttaranchal in 2002, Dr Kalam said the state government could consider providing at least one mobile diagnostic-cum-treatment centre in each district to provide health care facility in interior areas.

The state should make use of tele-medicine connectivity and invite corporate hospitals to set up their super facility hospitals supported by tele-medicine and mobile clinics. World-class medical tourism could be promoted at places at Pachmarhi, he said.

The President suggested a unique medical insurance model ''Yeshaswini scheme'' for Madhya Pradesh with citizen's contribution of Rs 5 per head per month and a matching government contribution leading to a consolidated health fund of Rs 720 crore, just Rs 120 crore more than the state's health budget for 20050-06.

Stressing the need for harnessing river water, he also suggested de-silting ponds and removing encroachments from water bodies.

''Satellite data provided by ISRO may be utilised for planning and implementing overall water management system of the state. It is essential that affected people of Narmada project are rehabilitated on a priority basis in mission mode,'' he said.

Pointing out that road density in Madhya Pradesh was 19.8 km per 100 sq km as against the national average of 24.5 km, he said road density should be progressively brought to at least 30 Km per 100 sq km. While 10,600 villages having 1000 population have been connected through all weather roads, remaining 41,000 villages should be provided connectivity through PURA cluster approach. (PURA stands for providing urban amenities in rural areas.

The President suggested PURA approach for rural prosperity to ensure honogenous and integrated development and said about 400 PURAs should be created for the state.

Referring to the 'one village-one product'' model developed in 26 villages in Thailand, he lauded the handicraft promotion work taking place in Chhindwara and Seoni district with the collaboration of JETRO of Japan along with state and Central governments.

''What is needed is application of technology for quantity, quality and variety production of these products for servicing in national and international markets with mangement stewardship''.

On the power scenario, he welcomed the state government's efforts to reduce transmission loss and to increase generation capacity from 6000 megawatt at present to 10,000 MW by 2008. Madhya Pradesh should emulate the Gujarat model with emphasis on quality power with zero interruption.

Pointing out that 1713 of the total 55,000 villages in the state are yet to be electrified, Dr Kalam said there was an urgent need to electrify these villages using renewable energy sources on priority basis.

Madhya Pradesh has high potential for international tourism with its large bio-diversity, rich heritage, pilgrim centres and unparallel wildlife. A strategy should be worked out to evolve new tourist circuits and are made tourist-friendly in all respects.

The tourist circuits suggested include: Gwalior-Orchha, Khajuraho, Sanchi-Bhopal -Bhojpur-Bhimbetka-Pachmarhi and Gwalior-Shivpuri-Chanderi.Amarkantak, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Burhanpur and Indore should be developed and the heritage places provided with air connectivity.

UNI