Indore, Madhya Pradesh: In a historic cabinet meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, several significant decisions were made in commemoration of the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. The meeting took place at Rajwada in Indore and focused on a range of initiatives aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure, women empowerment, and employment opportunities for the youth.
The Cabinet also discussed upcoming events related to the state’s celebration of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s anniversary, which includes cultural and literary programs from May 20 to May 31.
Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bhopal on May 31, where he will inaugurate the Indore Metro and hold a virtual inauguration of the Satna and Datia airports. The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, will also attend an agricultural-industrial summit in Narsinghpur from May 26 to May 28.
Key Decisions in the Cabinet Meeting
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Program Scheme – One of the most important announcements was the approval of the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Program Scheme, which aims to connect youth with employment through skill development. The scheme will provide subsidies on loan interest, offering a discount of up to Rs 10,000 over the lifetime of an individual. The state government will allocate approximately Rs 100 crore annually to this scheme.
Madhya Pradesh Metropolitan Area Planning and Development Act-2025 – The cabinet approved the Madhya Pradesh Metropolitan Area Planning and Development Act, which will facilitate the creation of “Metropolitan Planning Committees” and “Metropolitan Area Development Authorities” for urban areas with populations exceeding 10 lakh. These bodies will be tasked with preparing development plans for areas such as Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, and Bhopal, focusing on economic growth, education, and health.
Construction of Acharya Shankar Museum and Ekatma Dham Project – The cabinet sanctioned a revised budget of Rs 2,195 crore for the construction of the Acharya Shankar Museum under the Ekatma Dham Project in Omkareshwar. The museum will highlight Advaita Vedanta and is expected to boost tourism and educational initiatives in the region.
Working Women Hostels – To increase female workforce participation, the cabinet approved the construction of 26 working women’s hostels across four industrial areas of Madhya Pradesh at a cost of Rs 249 crore. These hostels will provide modern facilities, including food courts, entertainment areas, and dedicated spaces for the care of children, offering a safer and more supportive environment for women workers.
MYR Hospital and Shyam Shah Medical College Upgrades – The cabinet also granted Rs 1,095 crore for the upgradation of the Maharaja Yashwant Rao Hospital in Indore and Shyam Shah Medical College in Rewa. These improvements include the construction of new hospital buildings, nursing hostels, and enhanced medical infrastructure.
Rahveer Yojana – The Rahveer Yojana was introduced to support citizens who transport road accident victims to the hospital within the crucial first hour, referred to as the “golden hour.” Under the scheme, a reward of Rs 25,000 will be given to those who assist in saving a life by getting an accident victim to a hospital, significantly increasing the previous reward of Rs 5,000.
Mukhyamantri Urban Sanitation Mission Extension – The Chief Minister Urban Sanitation Mission will continue till 2028-29 with an estimated budget of Rs 227 crore. This initiative aims to enhance sanitation facilities in urban areas, including the procurement of sludge de-sludging vehicles, cleaning equipment for sewer lines, and protective gear for sanitation workers.
Upcoming Events in Commemoration of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar – To honor the legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, a series of cultural and literary programs will be held across Madhya Pradesh from May 20 to May 31, 2025. These events include dance performances, literary sessions, and exhibitions focused on the life and contributions of the great ruler. Notably, on May 22, the Mahanritya “Ahilyakathan Sannadati” centered on Devi Ahilya will be staged at the Kalidas Sanskrit Academy in Ujjain. On May 23, a women’s poetry session, “Kavi Sammelan,” will take place in Mahidpur, Ujjain, while other performances will follow in Gwalior, Bhopal, Betul, and Indore throughout the month.
The grand finale will occur on May 31, with a women empowerment program and a ceremonial garlanding of the statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar at Rajwada Complex in Indore.
Upcoming Events
PM Modi’s Visit on May 31, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhopal for the Women Empowerment Mega Conference and will also inaugurate the Indore Metro and the virtual opening of Satna and Datia Airports.
Tribute to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar: Cultural programs, including drama performances and literary events, will be held from May 20 to May 31. Notably, on May 22, a grand play titled “Ahilyakathan Sannadati” will be staged at the Kalidas Sanskrit Academy in Ujjain, while on May 31, a grand celebration will be held at Rajwada in Indore to mark the culmination of the celebrations.
Next Cabinet Meeting
The next cabinet meeting will be held on June 3 in Pachmarhi to commemorate the memory of tribal king Shri Bhabhut Singh.
With these decisions and events, Madhya Pradesh is gearing up to not only celebrate its cultural heritage but also pave the way for significant developmental strides in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.
