Promote use of Swadeshi goods in Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri celebrations: MP CM Mohan Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has declared a state-wide holiday on Ganesh Chaturthi and directed the formation of a committee to review arrangements for the holiday.

Addressing ministers ahead of the Council of Ministers’ meeting on Tuesday, he also announced that in the upcoming 2027 municipal general elections, the post of chairperson will be filled through direct elections by voters.

Dr. Yadav stressed the promotion of swadeshi goods during festive celebrations. “Idols should be made primarily of clay and paper pulp, while the use of Plaster of Paris—which poses environmental challenges—should be discouraged,” he said.

He added that in public religious events and household rituals, people should use domestically made clothes and decorative materials.

“This will encourage small traders and move us towards building an Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh and Atmanirbhar Bharat in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” the Chief Minister noted.

Mining Conclave Brings Investment Proposals Worth ₹56,414 Crore

Dr. Yadav shared the achievements of the Mining Conclave held in Katni, revealing that investment proposals totaling ₹56,414 crore were received.

The conclave focused on opportunities in critical minerals, strategic minerals, and rare earth elements, along with their processing and value addition. MoUs were signed with Texmin, Indian Institute of Mines, and IIT Dhanbad.

Participation included Coal India Limited, Manganese Ore India Limited, Hindustan Copper Limited, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Texmin IIT, Indian School of Mines, and Indian Rare Earths Limited. Private firms such as Singhal Business Pvt. Ltd., Vinmar Resources, Ramnik Power, and Mineware Advisor also engaged in discussions on future prospects.

Major Road and Infrastructure Projects Sanctioned

Highlighting infrastructure development, the Chief Minister said Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned road projects worth over ₹73,000 crore for Madhya Pradesh.

Key projects include the Jabalpur–Bhopal Greenfield Highway (255 km), Indore–Bhopal Greenfield Corridor (160 km), Lakhnadon–Raipur Four-Lane Highway (220 km), along with 24 other major roads. He also announced plans for a Tiger Corridor linking Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, and Panna National Parks, and enhanced connectivity to ports to boost tourism.

Medical Education Expansion

Dr. Yadav informed that during Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda’s recent visit to Jabalpur, two new government medical colleges—Sheopur and Singrauli—were inaugurated with 100 MBBS seats each. “With this, the number of government medical colleges in the state has risen to 19, from the earlier 17. Currently, the state has 2,575 MBBS seats and 1,357 postgraduate seats,” he said.

Contracts have also been signed under a PPP model for new medical colleges in Katni, Dhar, Betul, and Panna, which will be ready for academic sessions within a year.

Promoting Religious and Regional Tourism

To promote spiritual tourism, Dr. Yadav announced a Global Spiritual Conclave in Ujjain on August 27, describing it as “not just an event but a platform to present our rich culture and spiritual traditions before the world.” The conclave will host over 300 eminent personalities, including spiritual leaders, thinkers, corporate hospitality leaders, temple trust officials, and technology innovators from India and abroad.

Additionally, a Regional Tourism Conclave will be organized in Gwalior from August 29–30. “This will increase tourist inflow, boost tourism investments in the Gwalior–Chambal and Sagar divisions, and generate new employment opportunities for youth. The conclave will transform the region into a new hub of industrial and economic growth,” the Chief Minister said, adding that over 500 tourism experts, policymakers, and industrialists will participate.