Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, approved a series of major decisions on August 18 aimed at strengthening the state’s development, welfare, healthcare, agriculture, science and technology sectors. The Cabinet cleared proposals involving a total financial outlay of around ₹1.46 lakh crore.
Among the key decisions was approval for the formation of the “Nirmal Evam Aviral Maa Narmada Mission (NAMAN Mission)” for the conservation, rejuvenation and long-term sustainable management of the Narmada River.
The Cabinet also approved the continuation of major welfare schemes, including Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana and Madhya Pradesh Ladli Laxmi Yojana, along with substantial funding for healthcare, agriculture, scientific research and infrastructure.
Cabinet Approves NAMAN Mission for Narmada Conservation
The Cabinet approved the formation of the Nirmal Evam Aviral Maa Narmada Mission, or NAMAN Mission, to provide an integrated and scientific framework for the conservation and sustainable management of the Narmada River and its catchment areas.
Around 33% of Madhya Pradesh’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the Narmada River and its catchment area, making its conservation strategically important for the state.
The mission will be registered as an autonomous organisation under the Madhya Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 1973.
Three-Tier Administrative Structure
The mission will have a three-tier administrative structure:
- General Assembly: To be chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
- Vice-Chairperson: Panchayat and Rural Development Minister.
- Members: Ministers of 19 participating departments.
- Up to 10 experts from river science, hydrology, environment, biodiversity and community management may also be nominated.
- Executive Committee: To be headed by the Chief Secretary.
- CEO: Will serve as Member Secretary for the mission’s operations.
Experts from institutions such as IISER, IIT, IRMA, NIH, IIFM, ICAR and NEERI will also be associated with the Executive Committee.
₹100 Crore Annual State Grant for Narmada Mission
A dedicated financial framework has also been approved for the NAMAN Mission.
Under the Nirmal Evam Aviral Narmada Mission Fund, the state will provide ₹100 crore annually for Narmada conservation and development activities.
Another ₹100 crore annually will be utilised from the Forest Department’s CAMPA fund. In exceptional circumstances, ₹100 crore will also be made available from the state budget over five years for activities outside existing schemes.
The mission will additionally seek resources through:
- CSR funding
- Central government assistance
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models
- Community participation
AI and GIS to Support Scientific Narmada Monitoring
A Project Management Unit (PMU) will function as the mission’s technology and innovation centre.
It will use modern technologies including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Data analytics
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Remote sensing
- Decision Support Systems (DSS)
- Climate change modelling
These tools will be used for scientific assessment of river health and to support evidence-based planning and decision-making.
₹1,14,365 Crore Approved for Ladli Behna Yojana
The Cabinet approved ₹1,14,365 crore for the continued operation of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme focuses on improving women’s economic self-reliance, health and nutrition and strengthening their role in household decision-making.
Under the scheme, eligible women currently receive ₹1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Around 1.27 crore women are currently benefiting from the scheme.
₹16,326.47 Crore for Ladli Laxmi Yojana
The Cabinet also approved ₹16,326.47 crore for continuing the Madhya Pradesh Ladli Laxmi Yojana from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme aims to promote a positive attitude towards the birth of girls, improve the sex ratio and support girls’ education, health and future development.
Around 50.99 lakh girls have benefited from the scheme so far.
Financial Benefits Under Ladli Laxmi
Eligible beneficiaries receive:
- ₹2,000 on admission to Class 6
- ₹4,000 on admission to Class 9
- ₹6,000 on admission to Class 11
- ₹6,000 on admission to Class 12
- ₹12,500 during the first year of college
- ₹12,500 during the final year of college
- ₹1 lakh on completing 21 years of age, subject to applicable conditions
₹2,137.65 Crore Approved for PM Matru Vandana Yojana
The Cabinet approved ₹2,137.65 crore for the continuation and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme provides cash incentives to eligible pregnant women to partially compensate for wage loss and promotes the birth of a girl child during the second pregnancy.
Under the scheme:
- Eligible women receiving benefits for their first pregnancy can receive ₹3,000 as the first instalment after early registration and required antenatal care.
- A further ₹2,000 is provided after birth registration and completion of the first cycle of vaccination.
- A total benefit of ₹5,000 is therefore provided for the first pregnancy.
- For a second pregnancy resulting in the birth of a girl, ₹6,000 is provided in one instalment after completion of the first vaccination cycle.
₹870.16 Crore Approved for Agriculture and Research
The Cabinet approved ₹870.16 crore for the continued operation of three schemes under the Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department for the period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
The allocation includes:
- ₹310.23 crore for the self-financed pension scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur.
- ₹469.93 crore as block grant for Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University, Gwalior.
- ₹90 crore for agricultural infrastructure development.
The funding will support pensions, salaries, agricultural research, extension activities, laboratories, training facilities and other infrastructure requirements.
₹11,835.35 Crore Approved to Strengthen Healthcare
The Cabinet approved a total of ₹11,835.35 crore for upgrading and strengthening healthcare services across Madhya Pradesh.
Major allocations include:
- ₹4,742.45 crore for the Sub-Health Centre Scheme.
- ₹518.93 crore for upgrading and strengthening health services.
- ₹3,219.22 crore for construction and development of hospital and dispensary buildings.
- ₹3,354.75 crore for providing additional incentive payments to ASHA workers.
The funding will support healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, hospital construction and strengthening of primary and community-level healthcare services.
Madhya Pradesh currently has around 71,000 ASHA workers and 5,200 ASHA supervisors working across rural and urban areas.
MP Road Development Corporation Gets 35 New Posts
The Cabinet approved 35 new posts in the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation in addition to its previously approved 288 posts.
The continuation of seven already sanctioned posts has also been approved for the next five years, up to September 18, 2031.
The decision is expected to create an annual financial burden of around ₹4.12 crore, which will be met through the corporation’s own resources.
₹734 Crore Approved for Science, Research and Innovation
The Cabinet approved ₹734 crore for the continued operation of schemes under the Department of Science and Technology from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
The funding will promote:
- Scientific research
- Innovation
- Technology development
- Capacity building
- Remote sensing and GIS
- Biotechnology
- Climate change studies
- Rural technology
- Intellectual property protection
- Natural resource management
Of the approved amount, ₹201.28 crore has been allocated for research and development activities.
Another ₹119.04 crore has been approved for direction and administration-related activities.
₹172.52 Crore for Science Popularisation and ₹241.16 Crore for MPSEDC
The Cabinet approved ₹172.52 crore for schemes aimed at popularising and promoting science.
The initiatives will include science awareness programmes, mobile science laboratories, science education and innovation workshops, science exhibitions and other activities, particularly in rural and tribal areas.
The Cabinet also approved ₹241.16 crore for activities of the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC).
These initiatives will support science and technology awareness, innovation and capacity-building activities across the state.
Focus on Women, Healthcare, Agriculture and Technology
The Cabinet decisions collectively underline the Madhya Pradesh government’s focus on women’s welfare, healthcare, agriculture, environmental conservation, infrastructure, science and technology.
The approval of the NAMAN Mission, along with continued funding for major welfare schemes and investments in healthcare, agriculture and scientific research, forms part of the state government’s broader development roadmap.
Read also: MP’s Science & Technology Budget Reaches ₹734 Crore Under Mohan Yadav Govt
