Chief Minister virtually addresses Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Pandhurna; progressive farmers, meritorious students and livestock rearers honoured

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: The Madhya Pradesh government is committed to strengthening farmers’ financial condition and transforming the rural economy by promoting modern agricultural technology, natural farming and dairy production. Increasing farmers’ income through improved farming practices and allied activities remains a key government priority, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said.

He was virtually addressing the Balram Krishi Mahotsav organised in Pandhurna from the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal on Wednesday.

Dr. Yadav said Madhya Pradesh was progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state government is committed to the welfare of every section of society, including farmers, women, youth and economically weaker communities. The Balram Krishi Mahotsav, organised during the year dedicated to farmers’ welfare, is helping connect farmers with advanced agricultural technology, natural farming methods and farmer-oriented government schemes.

Assistance for Farmers Affected by Low Rainfall

The Chief Minister said Pandhurna district is known for producing wheat, maize, gram, tur and oranges. Alongside agriculture, the district also has growing opportunities in dairy production. Considering the low rainfall situation, a survey is underway, and farmers will receive all possible assistance and necessary facilities according to the prevailing conditions.

Agriculture-Based Industries Creating Local Employment

Pandhurna district’s Guardian Minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar said the district was making progress beyond traditional farming by developing industries based on agricultural products. These units are creating employment opportunities for local youth. He also thanked the Chief Minister for introducing free registration of rural residents’ properties.

Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Administrator Mahendra Singh Yadav expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for encouraging agricultural innovation and declaring Balram Jayanti as Kisan Diwas.

Progressive Farmers Share Their Success Stories

During the programme, progressive farmers interacted with the Chief Minister and explained their farming innovations, achievements and income-generating activities.

• Matarulal Dongre, Bhumma village, Sausar block: He cultivates turmeric, pigeon pea and wheat through natural farming. By adding value to his produce, he earns an annual net profit of ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh. His natural products have also reached markets in Japan and Australia.
• Narendra Thakre, Tigaon village: He cultivates oranges across 16 acres and earns approximately ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh annually. He is also involved in livestock rearing and vegetable production.
• Roshni Narvare, Pardasinga village: She has connected 350 women from 14 villages to produce khadi, seed balls and seed jewellery using indigenous cotton. These products are sold online, helping women generate income.
• Krishna Kumar Rabde, Pandhurna: With assistance under the PMFME scheme, he established a milk-processing unit producing paneer, shrikhand, ghee and mawa. The unit generates an annual income of ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh and provides employment to 8–10 people.
• Vijesh Bhade, Piplani village: Under the ATMA scheme, he established a BRC centre and practises organic farming on 2.5 acres. By integrating livestock rearing and horticulture with agriculture, he earns approximately ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh annually.

Farmers, Students and Livestock Rearers Felicitated

Farmers with outstanding achievements and meritorious students were honoured during the event. Five livestock rearers recognised for maintaining high-quality indigenous cattle under the Gopal Krishna Gram Puraskar Scheme were also felicitated.

Farmers attending the programme received information about modern agricultural technology, natural farming, farm mechanisation and various government schemes.

Collector Neeraj Kumar Vashishth, Cultural Cell Convenor and State In-charge of Balram Krishi Mahotsav Kapil Yarde, former minister Nanabhau Mohod, Sandeep Mohod, Municipal Council President Sandeep Ghatode, Janpad President Latabai Tumdom and a large number of public representatives and farmers were present.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

2. Statewide Campaign to Prevent Child Marriage During Dev Uthani Gyaras; Control Rooms to Operate Round the Clock

Special monitoring of mass weddings scheduled for November 20; village-level information teams and flying squads to be deployed

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: The Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Department is preparing an extensive campaign to prevent child marriages during the wedding season associated with Dev Uthani Gyaras. With a large number of mass marriage programmes expected on November 20, all districts have been instructed to remain alert and establish effective monitoring arrangements.

Department Secretary G.V. Rashmi said awareness and surveillance activities were being intensified in line with the Government of India’s ‘Child Marriage-Free India’ campaign. The objective is to eliminate child marriage across the state.

Information teams will be formed at village and ward levels, while district and block-level control rooms will remain operational 24 hours a day. Flying squads will also be deployed to monitor wedding venues and identify possible violations.

Elected Representatives to Take an Anti-Child Marriage Pledge

On November 20, members of gram panchayats and urban local bodies, including panches, sarpanches, panchayat secretaries, presidents and councillors, will take a pledge to prevent child marriage. Copies of the pledge will be displayed at panchayat and ward offices.

Awareness rallies will be organised through schools and Anganwadi centres at least one week before the wedding muhurat. Students in government schools and colleges will be informed about the harmful consequences of child marriage and the helplines available for reporting such cases.

Women associated with self-help groups will also conduct community discussions in villages and encourage families to avoid child marriage.

Families with Unmarried Girls Below 18 to Be Identified

Information about unmarried girls below 18 years of age will be collected with the assistance of Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, village kotwars and panchayat secretaries. The details will be shared with district Superintendents of Police and Chief Executive Officers of District Panchayats.

Families identified as potentially vulnerable will be counselled about the legal provisions related to child marriage and its social and personal consequences. Such families will remain under special monitoring.

Information Teams and Flying Squads to Strengthen Surveillance

Information teams will include teachers, health workers, Anganwadi workers, self-help groups, Shaurya Dal members, panchayat representatives and aware citizens. These teams will gather information about wedding programmes and immediately alert the concerned authorities if they suspect a child marriage.

District and block-level control rooms will remain active round the clock. Flying squads led by Child Marriage Prohibition Officers will inspect mass wedding venues. If a child marriage is confirmed, action will be taken under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

Training for Officials Across Departments

The department has directed that officers trained during the state-level workshop held on October 6, 2026, be used as master trainers for district-level training programmes.

The workshops will strengthen coordination among officials from the Revenue, Police, Panchayat and Rural Development, Urban Administration, and Women and Child Development departments.

Report Child Marriage Through These Helplines

Public awareness will also be expanded through local media, social media platforms, WhatsApp groups and wall-writing campaigns. Religious leaders, social organisations and public representatives will be encouraged to support the initiative.

Child marriage can be reported through the following channels:

• Women’s Helpline: 181
• Child Helpline: 1098
• Emergency Service: 112
• Local District Control Room
• Child Marriage-Free India Portal

All districts have been instructed to upload details of awareness activities and prevented child marriages on the portal and submit reports on the action taken during Dev Uthani Gyaras.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

3. Officials Directed to Resolve CM Helpline Complaints on Time; 100% Target Set for Swamitva Scheme

Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma reviews scheme implementation; stresses direct communication with complainants and satisfactory resolution

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: Delays and negligence in resolving public grievances will not be tolerated. Complaints registered through the CM Helpline must be addressed within the prescribed time limit, ensuring that complainants receive satisfactory solutions. Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma issued these directions while reviewing pending CM Helpline complaints and the progress of the Swamitva Scheme.

During the review, the Collector examined the status of pending complaints and instructed the concerned officers to speak directly with complainants, understand their actual problems and take appropriate action.

He also said that he would personally interact with complainants to review the progress and quality of grievance redressal.

Emphasis on Achieving the 100% Target Under Swamitva Scheme

Reviewing the Swamitva Scheme, the Collector directed officials to achieve the 100% target. He sought details of pending cases and instructed all Sub-Divisional Officers to conduct regular reviews and ensure that cases are resolved within the stipulated time.

The Collector emphasised that sensitivity, prompt action and accountability must remain the highest priorities while addressing public grievances. Officials should not limit themselves to completing formal procedures but must focus on providing genuine relief to citizens.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

4. Farmers Can Earn Additional Income by Selling Crop Residue Bundles Instead of Burning Stubble

Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma witnesses baler machine demonstration in Paduwa village; highlights potential supply to Reliance and power plants

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: Crop residue left behind after paddy harvesting can become an additional source of income for farmers instead of being burned in fields. With the help of baler machines, farmers can convert agricultural residue into compact bundles and sell them to industrial units and power plants, Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma said.

The Collector made these remarks during an inspection of farmer Jamman Patel’s field in Paduwa village of Jabalpur block, where he witnessed the process of preparing round bundles of paddy residue using a baler machine.

Farmer Jamman Patel informed him that he uses the machine not only on his own farmland but also in the fields of other farmers to manage crop residue.

The Collector said that bundles prepared from agricultural residue and other biomass could potentially be sold to Reliance and power generation plants, creating an additional income opportunity for farmers. This would also help reduce the practice of burning crop residue in fields.

Proper Residue Management Protects Soil and Environment

Deputy Director Agriculture U.K. Kathare explained that proper management of crop residue helps preserve nutrients in the soil and maintain its fertility. It also supports moisture retention and water conservation.

Reducing incidents of stubble burning would further help control air pollution and protect the environment.

During the inspection, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Rashmi Parsai, Senior Agriculture Development Officer Rampyari Dhurve and Agriculture Extension Officer Prabha Suryavanshi, along with other agriculture department officials, were present.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

5. Collector Inspects Pangasius Fish Farming in Bargi Reservoir; Explores Scope for Higher Production

Scientific fish farming underway in floating fish cages; Integrated Fisheries Industry Policy 2026 aims to encourage fish farmers

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma inspected floating fish cages installed in Bargi Reservoir to assess the potential for increasing fish production through modern aquaculture techniques.

During the visit, he observed Pangasius fish farming being carried out using scientific methods. He sought information from officials about current production levels, fish growth and the possibilities of expanding production capacity in the future.

Assistant Director Fisheries Industry Raja Raj Tilak Dhurve explained that the state government’s Integrated Fisheries Industry Policy 2026 aims to connect fish farmers and groups with modern technology, fish processing, marketing facilities and financial incentives.

The policy seeks to improve the utilisation of reservoirs and promote higher fish production through organised and technology-driven fisheries activities.

Dhurve also briefed the Collector on the functioning of cage culture, the growth rate of Pangasius fish and the production capacity of the existing facility.

Reservoir In-charge Divya Kerketta, Deputy Director Agriculture Umesh Kathare and officials from the Fisheries Department and other concerned departments were present during the inspection.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

6. Tribal Prisoners’ Delayed Bail and Legal Assistance Raise Concern; State Commission Inspects Central Jail

State Scheduled Tribes Commission member Bhagat Singh Netam interacts with prisoners; inspects prison kitchen and activities of women inmates

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: No prisoner should be forced to remain behind bars unnecessarily for an extended period due to poverty, illiteracy or lack of legal awareness. Timely legal assistance and proper examination of such cases are essential to protecting the rights of prisoners.

With this objective, Bhagat Singh Netam, member of the Madhya Pradesh State Scheduled Tribes Commission, inspected the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail in Jabalpur and heard the concerns of prisoners belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities.

During the inspection, Netam interacted directly with tribal prisoners and gathered information about difficulties faced in obtaining bail, filing appeals and accessing legal assistance. Particular attention was given to prisoners who have remained in jail for long periods in relatively minor cases and have not received adequate legal support.

Reasons Behind Delays in Bail and Appeals Examined

Netam also interacted with prisoners serving life sentences. He sought information about prison administration, food arrangements, healthcare facilities and other services provided by the government. He also spoke with a prisoner associated with Naxalite activities.

The Commission member tried to understand the difficulties prisoners face while filing appeals, securing bail and obtaining legal assistance. He emphasised that poverty, lack of education or limited awareness of the law should not result in unnecessary prolonged detention.

He said that the Commission would submit appropriate recommendations to the state government based on the issues identified during the inspection and the information received from prisoners. The objective is to ensure that needy prisoners receive proper legal assistance and access to justice.

Prison Kitchen and Activities of Women Inmates Inspected

During the visit, Netam inspected the prison kitchen and reviewed the arrangements for preparing meals for inmates. He also interacted with women prisoners, heard their concerns and observed the activities they were engaged in.

He said the Commission’s primary responsibility is to protect the constitutional rights of Scheduled Tribe communities and intervene appropriately in matters involving exploitation, discrimination or lack of essential facilities.

Deputy Commissioner of Tribal Affairs Narottam Varkade, Assistant Commissioner Vandana Gupta and Jail Superintendent Akhilesh Tomar were present during the inspection, along with other officials.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

7. Collector Orders Faster Work on Padwar-Padariya Group Water Supply Project

Surprise inspection of intake well under construction in Bargi region; additional manpower to be deployed to meet project deadline

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma has directed officials to accelerate construction work under the Padwar-Padariya Group Water Supply Scheme and ensure that the project is completed within the prescribed deadline.

During his visit to the Bargi region, the Collector conducted a surprise inspection of the intake well being constructed under the project, along with related water structures. He interacted with workers at the site and sought details about the current construction status and overall progress.

To speed up the work, he instructed the concerned authorities to increase the number of workers and technical personnel deployed at the site.

The Collector made it clear that the project must be completed within the stipulated timeframe so that residents of the concerned areas can receive the benefits of the water supply scheme without delay.

Employees of the Water Corporation were present during the inspection.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)

8. Collector Acts on Economic Assistance Complaint Pending for 60 Days; Notice Ordered Against Negligent Employee

Collector speaks directly with complainant Munnalal; officials told to provide genuine relief instead of merely closing CM Helpline complaints with formal replies

Jabalpur, November 4, 2026: Complaints registered through the CM Helpline must not be disposed of through paperwork alone. Officials are responsible for resolving the actual problems faced by complainants, and accountability will be fixed wherever negligence is found.

Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma issued these directions during a review meeting on CM Helpline complaints and the Swamitva Scheme on Wednesday evening.

During the meeting, he reviewed the day’s progress and instructed officials to resolve pending grievances without delay. He also spoke directly with several complainants over the phone to understand their problems.

Economic Assistance Still Pending After 60 Days

During the interaction, complainant Munnalal informed the Collector that he had registered a CM Helpline complaint seeking financial assistance, but even after 60 days, his problem remained unresolved.

When the Collector sought details of the case, officials informed him that the matter had remained pending because the order sheet had not been signed.

Questioning the concerned Tehsildar, the Collector said that if the required signature was unavailable, the matter should have been immediately brought to the attention of senior officials or necessary action should have been taken according to the rules.

He observed that inadequate supervision had caused unnecessary hardship to Munnalal. The Collector directed that a notice be issued to the employee responsible for the negligence.

Financial Assistance Cases Must Be Handled Sensitively

The Collector instructed officials to take prompt and sensitive decisions in matters related to financial assistance. Eligible applicants should receive approval according to the applicable rules. If assistance cannot be granted in a particular case, the application must be rejected with clear and specific reasons.

Reviewing pending complaints in the Revenue Department, he said that senior officers must not leave the responsibility of CM Helpline grievance redressal entirely to clerical staff or subordinate employees.

All Revenue officers were instructed to devote at least two hours every day to resolving complaints and personally monitor their progress.

Sub-Divisional Officers were also directed to assign clear responsibilities to Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and field staff within their respective jurisdictions and ensure regular supervision.

Accuracy and Quality to Be Ensured Under Swamitva Scheme

While reviewing registration work under the Swamitva Scheme, the Collector stressed that speed must be accompanied by accuracy and quality.

He instructed officials to investigate cases where drone surveys had not been completed properly or where shortcomings had occurred during the demarcation of residential settlement areas.

All officers were directed to remain actively involved in implementation and ensure that the property registration process is completed without errors.

Additional Collectors Neeta Rathore, Ravishankar Rai, Shailendra Singh and Akhilesh Singh, along with all Sub-Divisional Officers, attended the review meeting.

(SDNA | Truth with Society, Voice of the People)