Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh is among three-four major fast developing States of the country at present. The growth rate is 10.6 per cent in Madhya Pradesh and agriculture growth rate is about 10 per cent.

He was speaking at the State-level Bhamashah Award Ceremony here on Tuesday. Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi was the chief guest of the function. Finance and Commercial Taxes Minister Raghavji, Forest Minister Sartaj Singh, State Planning Board vice-chairman Babulal Jain, former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi and former Union Minister Thawarchand Gehlot were also present on the occasion.

Chouhan further said that even Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has admitted that Madhya Pradesh is among the fast developing States of the country. The credit for the State's development goes to all the sections of society. The Madhya Pradesh Government belongs to all including the poor, farmers, business persons and taxpayers.

“We want to promote trade and industries in the State which will generate both employment and revenue,” Chouhan said, adding, “We are not getting coal and have to import it from Indonesia,” despite meeting the Prime Minister several times in this connection. Rates of coal have been increased by the Centre by 45 per cent, which is not justified.

He said that the State Government has drafted Special Court Act for checking corruption, but it has not been approved by the Union Government so far.

He added let us all join hands for placing Madhya Pradesh in the leading row of developed States. Taxpayers should be honoured since revenue received from taxes has important contribution to the State’s development. He also made a call for coming forward to cooperate in the Beti Bachao Abhiyan.

Modi said that the Bihar Government has also followed the Madhya Pradesh Government’s Bhamashah Award Scheme for honouring taxpayers. Madhya Pradesh is pioneer in implementing several novel schemes.