Madhya Pradesh witnessed a number milestones in development and governance during 2011. A Year of Bold Initiatives, the 2011 will be remembered for committed efforts, futuristic policy initiatives, path-breaking decisions and innovations in good governance.

Antyoday Mela, Agriculture Cabinet, Beti Bachao (Save Girl Campaign), creation of new departments and people-centric policies dominated 2011. Decisions with far reaching impact on development scenario can appreciably be attributed to effective monitoring of development processes, intensive dialogues with field level administrative machinery and able guidance of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Comprehensive reviews of development programmes helped maintain faster pace of social and economic infrastructure building.

The contemporary socio-economic and political history of Madhya Pradesh will record as a landmark decision, the formation of a separate cabinet on agriculture affairs. The initiative stood as a glaring example for other states having farm-based economies. Another remarkable step was the introduction a revolutionary legislation for effective prevention of corruption. The Special Courts Act, which is awaiting presidential approval seeks to convert illegally amassed properties into public assets. This law would serve as a powerful legal instrument to discourage corruption. Achieving 10 percent growth rate ahead of eleventh plan period was reflective of well-designed development strategies. Three-fold increase in agriculture growth despite odds was encouraging.

The beginning of 2011 was not so good. Farmers suffered heavy losses due to frost. The Chief Minister provided relief of Rs. 1400 crore to the affected farmers. A lasting solution came up and Centre enlisted the frost as natural calamity. Backed by good policy decisions, Madhya Pradesh secured third position in wheat procurement and production in the country scoring a record. The decision to deposit amount of minimum support price and bonus of Rs. 100 per quintal into accounts of farmers was commended nationwide. Bold initiatives of giving farm loans on one percent interest rate and starting feeder separation for 24 hour electricity supply were welcome by one and all.

Madhya Pradesh had a good start last year as emerging sectors had well-designed polices. These policies aim at building a bright future. The Policy for Organic Farming seeks to bring down the cost of agriculture and improve quality of farm produce. The pro-poor livestock development policy also proved a forward looking step. The provisions of new Mining Policy won Centre's appreciation. In view of future scenario, the policy for allotment of land to non-official organizations and policy for bio-mass based power projects were much awaited and will go a long way.

Creation of new departments for addressing emerging issues of complex nature and effective administration was a major event. Madhya Pradesh is the only state to have enacted Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act and created a separate Department of Public Service Management to implement the Act.

Two exclusive departments came up for welfare of scheduled castes and tribes. In order to conserve bio diversity and promote bio-technology, a separate department of bio diversity and biotechnology came into existence. Similarly new and renewable energy department, nomadic and semi nomadic castes welfare department also came up. Now a separate ministry for small and medium scale industries is under consideration.

Over one lakh posts in different departments and newly established institutions have been created to give a chance to young talents to serve the government. This deserves special mention. As many as 80 thousand contractual teachers are being recruited. The recruitment process for newly created posts is underway.

Taking an innovative step to ensure benefits to thousands of beneficiaries under various schemes at one place, a series of Antyoday Melas were organized. Encouraged by the response at district level Antyoday Mela, now block level Antyoday Melas are being organized.

Beti Bachao Abhiyan remained highlight of 2011 as it drew attention of all sections and concerned groups not only from within the country but also from abroad. The drive inspires families, parents and eligible couples to celebrate the birth of girl child and hate discrimination against girls. The drive has gained momentum.

The making of a legislation to pave way for Atal Behari Vajpayee Hindi University will be recorded as a major achievement. Another milestone was the establishment of the first Natya Vidyalaya at Bhopal. Launching the Bhili and Korku Community Radios was also a historic event, which aims at conserving tribal dialects.

Besides, there are a number of decisions that make 2011 a memorable year. Mainly arrival of Narmada water in Bhopal, announcement of Minimum Support Prices for minor forest produce, raising honourarium for contractual teachers, doubling the honourarium of Anganwadi workers, setting up of state tourism development council, Madhya Pradesh sports Authority, giving 10 percent dearness allowance to Panchayat Secretaries and six percent to government officials, enriching C.M.'s Discretionary Fund, Sparsh Abhiyan for rehabilitation of disabled persons.