CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Chief Minister and BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma addressed the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Women Representatives Conference at the Chief Minister’s residence. They welcomed the women representatives with a shower of flowers and tied rakhi. The event began with the worship of girls and the lighting of lamps, followed by garlanding the picture of Devi Ahilya. The festive atmosphere of the conference was enhanced by the exhibition of products from the National Urban Livelihood Mission, PM SVANidhi, and self-help groups, giving it a fair-like feel. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, while addressing the conference, announced a 20% increase in the honorarium of all elected representatives of urban bodies on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. He mentioned that this benefit would be extended to all mayors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councilors across the state starting next month. The Chief Minister also announced an incentive of ₹5 crores to the municipal body that increases its own revenue through taxes and fees. BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma, while addressing the conference, said that women are the strength of Madhya Pradesh, the country, and the world. He emphasized that the women present represent millions of people and are the strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Increased Salary for Urban Body Representatives from Next Month
While addressing the conference, the Chief Minister announced a 20% increase in the honorarium of all elected representatives of urban bodies on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The Chief Minister stated that this benefit would be extended to all mayors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councilors across the state starting next month. The honorarium of the mayor of the municipal corporation will increase from ₹22,000 to ₹26,400, the vice-chairperson’s honorarium will increase from ₹18,000 to ₹21,600, and the councilor’s honorarium will increase from ₹12,000 to ₹14,400 per month. The honorarium of the chairman of the municipal council will increase from ₹6,000 to ₹7,200 per month, the vice-chairperson’s honorarium will increase from ₹4,800 to ₹5,760 per month, and the councilor’s honorarium will increase from ₹3,600 to ₹4,320 per month. In the Nagar Parishad, the president’s honorarium will increase from ₹4,800 to ₹5,760, the vice-president’s honorarium will increase from ₹4,200 to ₹5,040, and the councilor’s honorarium will increase from ₹2,800 to ₹3,360 per month. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) web application and initiated the certificate generation process. He stated that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh is empowering women by granting them rights. The empowerment of women will lead to the rapid development of society and the state. The conference was also addressed by state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Special City Bus and Pink Toilet Facilities for Women
The Chief Minister announced that the municipal bodies that increase their own revenue through taxes and fees will receive an incentive of ₹5 crores per year, and the Nagar Parishad will receive ₹2 crores per year. Gender budgeting will be prepared to make special provisions for the safety and convenience of mothers and sisters in the supplementary budget. These provisions will include CCTV projects, special city bus provisions for local transportation for women, and special pink toilets for women. Additionally, special provisions will be made in municipal bodies to prioritize women entrepreneurs, and women will be enlisted in beneficiary-oriented schemes. The Chief Minister stated that the year 2025 will be celebrated as an industry-based year in the state. In this direction, employment opportunities will be provided to women by integrating cottage industries, women’s self-help groups, and MSMEs. Monthly investor summits are being organized locally, with the next summit in Gwalior in August, followed by Sagar in September and Rewa in October. Across the state, women-led industries are being prioritized. He mentioned that Devi Ahilyabai took a significant step towards self-employment by starting the production of Maheshwari sarees 300 years ago. Women representatives are expected to play a vital role in creating employment opportunities in their respective areas.
Women Representatives of Urban Bodies Will Lead Women-Centric Development – Vishnudutt Sharma
Addressing the conference, BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma said that during the G-20 meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized women-led development. The sisters present here will lead women-centric development in line with the Prime Minister’s vision. Women are the strength of Madhya Pradesh, the country, and the world. On the eve of Raksha Bandhan, I thank all of you for your blessings. Addressing the conference, BJP President Vishnudutt Sharma said that the Chief Minister has invited all the mayors, municipal council presidents, councilors, and all representative sisters from across the state to his home on the occasion of the Women Representatives Conference, and I welcome you all. The sisters present here represent millions of people and are the strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party. That is why, in any election, the blessings of the sisters go to the Bharatiya Janata Party. In an election where everyone is unsure of the outcome, these very sisters create history by winning 163 seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The sisters have played a significant role in the party’s electoral victory. We recently won the Lok Sabha by-election in Chhindwara. During the recent by-election in Chhindwara district, people were saying many things, but our party leadership made sister Sampatia Uike the in-charge, and we won that election too. This proves that each sister sitting here is capable and competent.
Double-Engine Government Empowering Women
Vishnudutt Sharma said that the double-engine government led by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister is continuously working to empower women. The more than 6.5 million self-help groups in Madhya Pradesh are the strength of our sisters. Through the Mudra scheme, the double-engine government of the BJP is working to economically empower and strengthen the sisters. The Ladli Laxmi scheme and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign have made significant progress in Madhya Pradesh.
The conference was also addressed by state ministers Sampatia Uike and Pratima Bagri, Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, BJP Mahila Morcha State President and MP Maya Narolia, BJP State Vice President and MP Alok Sharma, State Media In-charge Ashish Usha Agarwal, and Bhopal District President Sumit Pachauri.