DURING the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho on Tuesday, the Government approved several important decisions that will directly impact development in Bundelkhand. The Chief Minister was felicitated by Cabinet members for bringing forward key decisions that prioritise development of Bundelkhand. A major announcement was approval of a special industrial incentive package for proposed Maswasi Grant industrial area in Sagar.

 

The package is expected to attract investments of Rs 24,240 crore and create more than 29,000 jobs. To make the region investor-friendly, land allotment and annual lease rates have been fixed at Rs 1 per sq m, while development charges can be paid in 20 equal annual installments. A maintenance fee of Rs 8 per sq m per year has also been set. In a major relief to industries, the Cabinet approved 100% reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fees, along with five years of electricity duty exemption once production begins.

 

The package will remain in effect for five years, though cement manufacturing units will not be covered. In a major road infrastructure decision, the Cabinet approved Rs 2,059 crore for upgradation and construction of 76.68-km Sagar–Damoh road into a four-lane highway under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). An additional Rs 323.41 crore will be spent on land acquisition and related works. The project includes construction of 13 underpasses, 3 major bridges, 9 medium bridges, a railway overbridge and a total of 55 junctions.

 

Once completed, this road is expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and support economic activity between Sagar and Damoh districts. To strengthen medical education and healthcare services, the Cabinet approved 990 regular and 615 outsourced posts for the new Government medical colleges coming up in Damoh, Chhatarpur and Budhni. Each college will get 330 regular and 205 outsourced posts to ensure smooth operation of these upcoming medical institutions.

 

In the field of wildlife conservation, the Cabinet gave in-principle approval to develop Virangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Nauradehi as third cheetah habitat in Madhya Pradesh. The State currently has 31 cheetahs and eight more are expected to arrive from Botswana in January 2026. With this decision, Nauradehi will join Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in hosting cheetahs, which is expected to boost wildlife tourism and conservation efforts. The Cabinet approved Rs 165.06 crore for Jhapan Nala Medium Irrigation Project in Tendukheda tehsil, Damoh district.

 

The project will provide irrigation to 3,600 hectares across 17 villages, helping improve crop yields and agricultural productivity. The Cabinet approved upgradation of 12 health institutions in 11 districts, including Neemuch, Shajapur, Ujjain, Khandwa, Panna, Khargone, Singrauli, Rewa, Betul, Anuppur and Sagar. These upgrades include converting sub-health centres, PHCs and CHCs into higher-capacity hospitals, with some facilities being expanded up to 100 beds. For smooth operation of these upgraded hospitals, 345 regular, 3 contractual and 136 outsourced posts have been sanctioned.

 

Annual cost of running these facilities will be Rs 27.17 crore: In a move aimed at providing global job opportunities, the Cabinet approved a project to send 600 youths from the Other Backward Classes to Japan and Germany for employment over the next two years using Social Impact Bond (SIB) model. To improve firefighting capacity, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs 397.54 crore for the expansion and modernisation of fire services in the state, with 75% funds coming from the Centre and 25% from the State.