During the last four and half years, the state government has launched a number of programmes which have benefited every section of society, especially programmes for empowerment of farmers, girls and women, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing a district-level conference of Panchas, Sarpanchas and women's self-help groups at Binaganj town in Guna district the other day. Besides giving many bounties to Binaganj Chachora area, the Chief Minister declared Chanchora Tehsil as drought-affected and announced to make Madhusudan Garh a tehsil. Chief Minister Chouhan also announced many other bonanzas on this occasion which included upgrading Teligaon high school to higher secondary school, elevating Teligaon sub-health centre to primary health centre, Rs 1.45 crore sanction for deepening of Khanpura water reservoir, getting completed the construction work of Chachora government college building and sanction of Rs one crore for concretisation work in Binaganj Krishi Upaj Mandi. Chouhan gave away Rs 6000 National Savings Certificate to a minor girl Reena under Ladli Laxmi Yojana. He gave cheques to Niranjan, a farmer of village Dungasara and Virendra, a farmer of village Bhesua under Balram Taal Yojana. He also gave cheques to Ms Preeti Mali under Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Yojana and Binaganj college student Ms Anita Mangalia under Gaon Ki Beti Yojana. Chouhan said that far more compensation is being given nowadays for damages due to natural calamities. Interest on agricultural loans which was 14 percent earlier was first decreased to 7 and then to 5 percent. He said Anganwadi workers' remuneration has been raised from Rs 400 to Rs 500. Home Guard jawans' wages have been increased by Rs 20 per day. Chouhan said that the rate of minimum wages of labourers has been raised to Rs 85 from Rs 69 while bonus for Tendupatta collection has been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500 per standard bag. The state government has decided to purchase wheat from farmers at the support price of Rs 1100 per quintal and supply it to poor people for Rs three per kilogramme from April 1, 2008. Similarly, decision has been taken to provide a girl student Rs 200 instead of Rs 90 for uniform. Now under the scheme to provide free bicycle to girls students, every girl student would be given Rs 2000 so that she can purchase a cycle of her choice. The Chief Minister also released a 'Vikas Pustika' published by Agriculture and Education departments and a calendar focusing on various schemes brought out by District Panchayat. District Panchayat president Ms Mamta Meena while welcoming the Chief Minister, apprised him of the problems prevailing in the area. On this occasion, the Chief Minister issued instructions for conducting survey of 11 irrigation projects, construction of 11 rural roads, upgradation of five schools and sanctioned four sub-health centres. Those present on the occasion included Guna MLA KL Agrawal, Shadora MLA Gopilal Jatav, Sabalgarh MLA Mehraban Singh, president of state BJP Mahila Morcha Ms Seema Singh, state Kisan Morcha president Ved Prakash, district BJP president Bhagchand Sogani, District Central Co-operative Bank chairman Radha Vallabh Kirar and Panchayat representatives, women and farmers in large number.