Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Greenlights Key Policy Reforms and Initiatives

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has approved several significant reforms including Smart-PDS, an increase in Dearness Allowance, and the implementation of a new Cloud Policy. The cabinet also extended recruitment and loan deadlines and approved new security regulations.

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has given the green light to the Smart-PDS (Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System). This initiative, with a budget of Rs 8.35 crore over three years, aims to improve the Targeted Public Distribution System, addressing issues like software application expansion, database variations, data recovery, and cybersecurity. The One Nation-One Ration Card scheme will also enable eligible families to obtain ration from any fair-price shop in India.

The cabinet has also extended the Special Recruitment Drive for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Persons with Disabilities until June 30, 2025. So far, 7,000 out of 17,000 backlog posts have been filled. In another significant move, the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for government servants and pensioners under the Seventh Pay Scale has been increased by 4 percent, bringing it to a total of 46 percent, effective from July 1, 2023.

Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh Cloud Policy-2024 has been approved to facilitate cloud services through the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC). A Cloud Monitoring Unit (CMU) will be established to ensure smooth operations. In a move to aid farmers, the due date for short-term crop loans for the Kharif 2023 season has been extended to May 31, 2024. Lastly, the cabinet has approved new rules for private security agencies involved in cash transport, continuing the regulations set by the Government of India in 2018.