MP seeks central help for JNNURM, charts Narmada clean-up plan

"We have urged the Centre to give 80 per cent assistance under various central schemes, specially JNNURM, urban development, slum area improvement programme and the scheme for constructing houses for economically weaker sections," state Urban Development Minister Babulal Gaur said.

Madhya Pradesh could not be compared with developed states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, he said.

"We have raised this issue with Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath and other officials."

Gaur also informed that his Ministry had planned an ambitious programme to keep Narmada river free from pollution.

Drainages which pour effluents into the river along its course would be plugged, and the river-side towns would be provided solid waste disposal centres.

A meeting of officials from Amarkantak, Dindori, Mandla, Bhedaghat, Hoshangabad, Budhni, Omkareshwar, Mandleshwar and Maheshwar was held in this regard recently.