The government of Madhya Pradesh has allocated Rs 1,800 crore for providing basic infrastructure in 397 cities under the Chief Minister Urban Infrastructure Development Plan (CMUIDP).
The funds will be utilised for improving water supply, sewerage networks, developing roads, provision of open and green spaces, community centres and public utilities in urban areas.
In the first phase, the government had sanctioned Rs 1,107 crore to develop small cities and towns on the lines of Smart City Project envisaged by the Ministry of Urban Development.
In the second phase, the government has sanctioned funds for 397 cities and towns and also approved subsidy on investments. Besides, the government will also provide loans through the urban administration department which could be repaid in two instalments.
For urban development, the funds will be used for improving water supply, sewerage networks, developing roads, provision of open and green spaces, community centres and public utilities.
The government had also sanctioned Rs 40 crore each for Bhopal and Indore. Similarly, Jabalpur and Gwalior cities will get Rs 30 crore each while, temple town Ujjain will get Rs 20 crore for basic infrastructure development.
Apart from this, the Madhya Pradesh government is also taking initiatives for the promotion of digital payments.
Badjhiri village in Madhya Pradesh will soon become first ‘cashless’ village in the state having shops equipped with Point of Sale (PoS) machines, ATMs and kiosks for online payment facilities.
“A nationalised bank has come up with a plan in cooperation with the state government to transform Badjhiri into a cashless village,” said MP’s Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya. Badjhiri is located on the outskirts of MP capital -Bhopal.
The state government is also planning to make various government depoartments cashless.
