MP govt says it will earmark half the budget for welfare

Indore, Feb 19 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Government todayannounced that it will earmark half of the state''s budget forthe schemes aimed at the welfare of poor people.

"Half of the state''s population belong to the poorclasses and therefore the state budget''s 50 per cent outlaywill be earmarked for their welfare," Chief Minister ShivrajSingh Chouhan said here after inaugurating the Antyodaya Mela.

In an indirect reference to the Congress, he said thatearlier governments indulged in the vote bank politics, butfailed to do anything for the poor people'' welfare.

The Chief Minister also said that his government willreserve 25 per cent of seats in private schools for thechildren of the poor and their school fees will be paid by thegovernment.

He also reiterated that if the industrial units investingin the state gave 90 per cent of the jobs to locals, theywould get tax incentives.