Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approvals: Advait Lok, Working Women Hostels & UK Migration Trends
Working Women Hostels in Ujjain, Dhar, Bhind, and Raisen; Revised Approval for Advait Lok Project
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet held a special meeting at the historic Rajwada Darbar Hall in Indore, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Key decisions were taken on major development and welfare projects covering spiritual infrastructure, women welfare, urban sanitation, youth employment, and health service upgrades, with proposals worth INR 3,867 crore approved.
Omkareshwar's Advait Lok Project Approved at INR 2,195 Crore
The cabinet approved a revised budget of INR 2,195.54 crore for the development of the cultural and spiritual museum “Advait Lok” in Omkareshwar. The project includes Acharya Shankar Museum, an International Vedanta Institute, Advait Nilayam, Abhay Ghat, Shankar Setu Bridge, and a project information center. It is part of the Ekta Dham Corridor and features index-linked concessions for rapid implementation.
Working Women Hostels in Industrial Areas with INR 249.66 Crore Budget
To promote women's workforce participation and provide safe accommodation, the cabinet sanctioned INR 249.66 crore for constructing 26 working women hostels in four industrial areas: Vikram Udyogpuri (Ujjain), Pithampur Sector 1 & 2 (Dhar), Malanpur Ghirongi (Bhind), and Mandideep (Raisen). Each hostel will have 222 beds, totaling 5,572 beds.
Facilities include secured premises, parking, subsidized food, food courts, daycare centers, and spaces for entertainment and cultural programs. The project is supported under the Central Government’s Special Assistance for Capital Investment 2024-25 and implemented by MPIDC under the Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion Department.
Extension of Chief Minister Urban Sanitation Mission till 2028-29
The cabinet approved extending the CM Urban Sanitation Mission till FY 2028-29 with an estimated budget of INR 227.05 crore (INR 167.74 crore from state govt and INR 59.31 crore from urban local bodies). Funds will assist in procurement of septic tank cleaning vehicles, sewer cleaning equipment, solid waste transport vehicles, and PPE kits for sanitation workers.
Started in 2012, the mission aims to enhance urban sanitation infrastructure and improve safety for sanitation workers in Madhya Pradesh.
New Youth Training Scheme Named After Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar
The cabinet granted in-principle approval for the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Program, a new skill development scheme to provide employment to youth. Beneficiaries will be eligible for an interest subsidy of INR 1,000 per year on bank loans, up to a lifetime maximum of INR 10,000. The scheme has an estimated annual budget of INR 100 crore.
Health Infrastructure Upgrade: INR 1,095 Crore for MY Hospital and Rewa Medical College
The cabinet approved INR 1,095 crore for health infrastructure development. INR 773.07 crore will be allocated for new hospital buildings, mini auditorium, nursing hostel, and parking facilities at MY Hospital campus in Indore. INR 321.94 crore will go towards new OPD and maternity blocks, nursing college, staff quarters, and related facilities at Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa.
UK Migration Trends: Work-Study Visa Cuts Reduce UK-Bound Indian Numbers by 50%
India tops the list among non-European countries for migration to the UK, with approximately 250,000 Indians moving there in 2023. Over 85% of non-European UK migrants now go for work, unlike previously when most came to study.
In 2023, 423,000 non-European nationals moved to the UK for work, marking a 53% increase over 2022. About 219,000 applied for short-term stays and 204,000 for long-term residency. In the last five years, 83,468 Indians acquired UK citizenship, the highest among European countries.
Post-Brexit, UK-India relations have been termed a “new special relationship” by David Cameron. European Union healthcare and social care workers have been largely replaced by migrants from non-European countries like India.