In continuation with an unique initiative of organising Cabinet meetings at places of importance in Madhya Pradesh, the State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, on Tuesday, was organised in the historic Rajwada of Indore of Holkar dynasty to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Malwa Province ruler Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. In the historic meeting, Cabinet has approved the construction of hostels in all industrial hubs such as Udyog Nagri Pithampur (near Indore) and Mandideep (near Bhopal) and Malanpur (near Gwalior). It is in line with the Central Government’s initiatives to establish working women’s hostels in industrial areas to provide safe and affordable accommodation for female workers. In the first phase, the State has decided to make its own investment of Rs 66 crore in Udyogpuri (Ujjain), Rs 76 crore in Pithampur, Rs 29 crore in Malanpur and Rs 77 crore Mandideep. In future, more funds will be invested in other industrial areas.

 

The Government is considering private partnership at a later stage model and may opt for financial support from industries through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to aid in the development of these facilities. “Central and State governments will construct residential facilities for women in all industrial areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking interest in this project, so the state is getting support from Central Government. State is proactive in construction for residential areas for working women in industrial areas,” Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya informed in Indore on Tuesday. The Prime Minister, he said, will visit Bhopal and will dedicate the Indore Metro Rail project on May 31, virtually from Bhopal. Besides, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed the expansion of the ‘Sakhi-Niwas’ hostel facilities under Mission Shakti, ensuring that hostels are available in all cities and industrial areas where a significant number of women are employed.

 

These hostels will also serve as centres for skill development and employment-oriented training. Other states, such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, have also launched similar initiatives. Tamil Nadu has established multiple working women’s hostels across various districts, equipped with biometric attendance, CCTV surveillance, and other modern amenities. In Andhra Pradesh, the Government has sanctioned hostels in Visakhapatnam under a public-private partnership model, ensuring safe and well-equipped accommodations for working women. At the national level, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the construction of new hostels across 28 states under the Sakhi Niwas Scheme.

 

This initiative aims to enhance women’s participation in the workforce by providing secure housing options. Notably, the Working Women Hostel Scheme, originally launched in 1972-73, continues to support the construction and expansion of hostels in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas where employment opportunities exist. Nowadays, in view of expansion of industrial areas, the required for such projects have been increased. Other important decisions 

 

 

State Government has announced a reward for individuals who helped in transporting road accident victims to the hospital. The State Cabinet also decided that those who help accident victims will not be questioned. “The individual will receive a financial reward of Rs 25,000 under the Rahveer Scheme. To qualify for the scheme, the person must stop at the accident site, promptly call an ambulance and actively assist in transporting the injured to medical care. This initiative was approved during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav in Indore on Tuesday. The Chief Minister also announced that the State Cabinet has allocated Rs 773 crore to Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar Hospital. “Holkar Maharaja established MY Hospital. With an investment of Rs 773 crore, the hospital’s facilities will be expanded to twice their current capacity. It will offer heart and liver surgeries, reducing the need for patients to travel to Delhi or Mumbai for treatment”. Additionally, Rs 321 crore has been allocated to Rewa District Hospital, providing a substantial healthcare boost for the poor and middle-class residents of Central India. The Cabinet meeting took place in the Ganesh Hall of Rajwada, Indore, with a statue of Ahilya Devi prominently positioned in front of the Chief Minister Seated to the right of the statue, the Chief Minister and other officials paid tribute to Lokmata Ahilyabai with floral offerings before commencing discussions. Several ministers attended the meeting dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta attire complemented by saffron scarves.