SPECIALpackage of Rs 1,782 crore approved for submer gence-affected families of Upper Narmada, Raghavpur and Basania Multipurpose Projects was the key decision taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, which began on Tuesday at the Secretariat with the singing of Vande Mataram. The Cabinet approved this substantial relief package for families affected by submergence due to the Upper Narmada Project, Raghavpur Multipurpose Project and Basania Multipurpose Project in Anuppur, Mandla and Dindori districts.

 

The approved special package of Rs 1,782 crore is in addition to the Rs 1,656 crore 2 lakh already provisioned in the detailed project reports (DPRs) for rehabili tation and compensation of the affected families. It was informed that the com bined total cost of the Upper Narmada, Raghavpur Multipurpose and Basania Multipurpose Projects stands at Rs 5,512 crore 11 lakh. Upon com pletion, these projects will pro vide irrigation facilities to 71,967 hectares of agricultural land and generate 125 megawatts of elec tricity, significantly strengthen ing irrigation capacity and ener gy production in the region.

 

A total of 13,873 families will be directly affected by submergence under these three projects. Under the special package, each affected family will receive compensation of Rs 12.50 lakh. In addition, approximately 50,000 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families will be provided with additional compensation as per government norms, ensuring inclusive and equitable rehabilitation. In another important decision, the Cabinet granted permission for approval of works costing Rs 10 lakh or more under the Chief Minister’s Village Road and Infrastructure Scheme for the financial year 2025-26. With this approval, around 3,810 develop ment works amounting to approx imately Rs 693.76 crore will be undertaken, aimed at strength ening rural connectivity and infra structure across the State.