Bhopal: Cabinet Meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved increase in criteria number 4 of circular section 6 of the revenue book circular. As per the decision, an increase upto Rs 12,000 has been made in the financial assistance given to the small shopkeeper in case his/her shop get damaged due to fire or excessive rainfall/ flood. This will be applicable for the small shopkeeper not having insurance cover for shop and having annual income upto Rs one lakh from all the sources. Earlier, the financial assistance of Rs 6,000 was given to the small shopkeeper having annual income of Rs 35,000.

Moreover, financial assistance of Rs. 50 thousand has been increased to Rs 4 lakh in case of death due to Snake/Guhera (poisonous lizard) bite and death due to fall of authorized public transport in river or from hill into pit.

Now on death due to drowning or boat accident, the financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh will be provided in place of one lakh. In case of damage to private well or tube well due to natural calamity, financial assistance of Rs 25,000 will be given to the owner in place of 6,000. Moreover, an assistance upto Rs 10,000 will be provided in place of 4,000 in case of damage to farmers bullock cart or agriculture equipments due to natural calamity.

The cabinet has given administrative approval for fruits plantation on both the banks of Narmada River. The scheme will be expanded from the origin point Amarkantak (Anuppur) of Narmada river covering 16 districts Anuupur, Mandla, Dindori, Jabalpur, Seoni, Narsinghpur, Hoshangabad, Raisen, Sehore, Harda, Dewas, Khandwa, Khargone, Badwani, Dhar, Alirajpur and upto the state border of Jobat (Alirajpur). Under the scheme fruits plantation will be undertaken in total 45,000 hectare area during three years. Forty percent grant will be payable towards unit cost to undertake fruits plantation with general/high density/higher density including drip. Moreover, financial assistance of Rs 20,000 per hectare for the period of three years will be given to the beneficiary undertakes fruits plantation in place of traditional crops.

The cabinet has decided to give exemption in Store Purchase Rule 2015 related to the lodging arrangements of states guests staying in private hotels. The bills will be paid after obtaining special discount on the prevalent market rate from the concerned hotels.

Keeping in view the urgency and quality for government banquet, permission for catering arrangements through tourism Development Corporation has been given by exempting it from store purchase rule. In special cases and corporations inability, the committee formed at the GAD level can arrange the same at the minimal rate by calling quotations from the competent supply agencies. Similarly, the committee can arrange for tents, chairs, lights, mike, stage and decoration services from the competent agencies after calling quotations.