News & Views

A number of popular development initiatives on education, livelihoods promotion and protection, health, social protection taken by the Madhya Pradesh government have seemingly attracted the notice of the World Bank.

So much so that the bank’s managing director, Ms Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has invited chief minister Shivraj S. Chouhan to Washington DC to speak on them (dates to be finalized). Among the schemes are Ladli Laxmi, Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan, Gaon Ki Beti, Janani Suraksha. Also women’s reservation in panchayats and civic bodies which is currently under implementation in cooperation with stakeholders. The social sector has been allotted 38 per cent of state's total budget.

State government sources said the World Bank MD felt it was important that these schemes be shared with the rest of the developing world. Especially those concerning women and children. Ms Iweala also expressed the bank’s intention to further its engagement with MP in a number of sectors.

Referring to the recent visit of the bank’s delegation, Ms Iweala felt MP had done some good work on integrated development which resulted in drastic  reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates. Hence, the need for greater synergies to help improve matters further.