Mohan govt to sell 554 acres in Keralam:Provident Investment Company-owned land transfer proposal to state likely today

The cabinet of the Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is expected to approve the transfer of 554.05 acres of land located in Keralam to the Keralam government in its meeting scheduled for this evening. The land, situated in Wayanad, is currently held under a subsidiary of the Provident Investment Company Limited. The state government plans to sell this property to Keralam in exchange for mutually agreed compensation. Governor’s address and ongoing projects on agenda The cabinet will also ratify the address delivered by Governor Mangubhai Patel during the Assembly session. Additionally, decisions are expected to ensure the continued execution of key infrastructure and administrative works in the state capital, including projects related to Vindhyachal and Satpura Bhawans, as well as the Shaurya Smarak. Irrigation, Narmada projects, and Indore Metro proposal Key development proposals will also be discussed during the meeting. These include administrative approval for the Panwar Micro Irrigation Project under the Water Resources Department. The cabinet will consider providing short-term loans for projects financed by the Narmada Basin Projects Company Limited under the Narmada Valley Development Department. A proposal by the Urban Development and Housing Department to secure a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Indore Metro is also likely to receive approval. ₹945 crore elevated corridor planned in Ujjain Among the major infrastructure proposals, the Public Works Department has put forward a plan to construct elevated corridors in Ujjain. The project includes: The total length of the project is 5.32 km, with an estimated cost of ₹945.20 crore. Road projects and financial approvals The cabinet is also expected to approve the continuation of various road development schemes funded by ADB under Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (Programs V, VI, and VII). Plans related to bridge and road construction, as well as maintenance and beautification works under revenue and capital heads, will also be continued during the term of the 16th Finance Commission. Bonus for wheat procurement in Rabi 2026–27 A proposal to provide a bonus to farmers procuring wheat at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the Rabi marketing season 2026–27 is also likely to be approved. The bonus will be distributed based on the quantity of wheat procured from farmers. Long-standing land dispute between MP and Keralam The 554.05-acre Beanachi Estate in Wayanad, under PICL, has been at the center of a prolonged dispute between the two states. A significant portion of the land—453.96 acres—was taken over by the Keralam government under the Kerala Private Forest Act, 1971. Challenging this, PICL approached the Kerala High Court. On November 3, 2023, the court directed both states to resolve the matter amicably. Following several rounds of discussions between the chief secretaries of both states, a final meeting on February 12, 2024, concluded that the estate would be transferred to Keralam against appropriate compensation. If consensus on compensation is not reached, an arbitrator will be appointed. After the transfer, the Keralam government may consider allocating land to around 160 encroacher families residing in the area. While Keralam has given its in-principle approval, the final decision now rests with the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.