Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Tuesday, approved proposals worth over Rs 23,300 crore for forest conservation, irrigation, urban infrastructure, healthcare investment and the Lokayukta Organisation. The largest allocation of Rs 17,240.55 crore was cleared for nine Forest Department schemes for 2026-31. The funds will support forest management, compensatory afforestation, national parks, timber production, zoos and wildlife conservation. Of the allocation, Rs 10,664.79 crore is earmarked for Working Plan Organisations and Territorial Forest Circles, Rs 1,994.30 crore for compensatory afforestation, Rs 1,623.79 crore for national parks, Rs 1,107.06 crore for timber production and Rs 604.23 crore for zoos and rescue centres.

 

The schemes also cover forest training, working plans and wildlife management outside protected areas. They include development of nine tiger reserves and 10 national parks, besides new zoo and rescue facilities in Ujjain and Jabalpur. The Cabinet approved Rs 4,103.73 crore for ongoing irrigation projects in Panna, Vidisha, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli and Ujjain to strengthen agricultural development and water management. An additional Rs 700 crore was sanctioned under the Mukhyamantri Urban Area Infrastructure Development Scheme, which has been extended for two years, from April 2027 to March 2029. The scheme funds drinking water, sanitation, streetlights, roads, drains, community buildings, cremation grounds, sports facilities and night shelters.

 

The Cabinet approved Rs 610.51 crore for the Industry Investment Promotion Assistance Scheme for 2026-31. The State-funded scheme provides incentives for investment in medical and healthcare industries under the state policies of 2020 and 2025, with the aim of attracting investment and generating jobs. An allocation of Rs 573.85 crore was approved for the Lokayukta Organisation for 2026-31. Of this, Rs 553.85 crore will meet establishment costs, salaries and office expenses, while Rs 20 crore is earmarked for maintenance of departmental assets. The Cabinet approved one regular post of Assistant Research Officer (Museum In-charge) for the Raja Shankar Shah-Kunwar Raghunath Shah Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum in Jabalpur. It also sanctioned annual expenditure of Rs 83.18 lakh for the museum’s operation and maintenance. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap briefed the media after the meeting and outlined the approvals.