Chouhan visits House of Commons

Bhopal, May 11 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held discussions with British Members of Parliament at the House of Commons in London today becoming the first chief minister from the state to visit the prestigious assembly.

Mr Chouhan discussed matters relating to investment in Madhya Pradesh with representatives of Liberty International PLC, an official release said here today.

Mr Chouhan met British MPs, including Mr Ashok Kumar, Mr Shailesh Vara and the Lord King.

Explaining the objectives of his London visit, he said he was there to invite British investors to the Global Investors Meet to he held in Bhopal and to apprise them about investment prospects in the state besides cementing emotional bonds with the people of Britain.

Replying to a question regarding stability of policies, he said Madhya Pradesh represented that brand of politics in which a government does not undo the policies of previous government.

Later, he met Liberty International PLC CEO David Fischel, who expressed desire to operate in Indore and Gwalior.

The company, which is the third largest Real Estate Investment Trust in UK, is expected to sign MoU tomorrow.

Later, he addressed a press conference at India House.

The CM had an interactive session -- organised by the Indian High Commission -- with business leaders, prominent NRIs and investors of UK.

He said around 2.30 lakh graduates, including 18,000 technical graduates, were being churned out by 10 universities and 65 professional colleges in the state.

Mr Chouhan said Madhya Pradesh was the fastest growing state where the government was paying utmost attention to the development of infrastructure.

He said Madhya Pradesh had emerged out as the most prominent granary of the country. The state ranked first in production of pulses and oilseeds and third in food grain production.

As a result of concerted efforts, 1895 MW additional power capacity had been generated in the past three years and another 1,250 MW would be added in 2007.

With a view to attracting industries, the state government had effected radical changes in its power policy and industrial power tariffs had been reduced over last three years.

UNI