From correspondents in Madhya Pradesh, India, 09:02 PM IST

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Thursday said that Alirajpur tehsil of Jhabua district would become a district from May 14.

He made the announcement while addressing a Kisan Sammelan (farmers' meeting) at Jhabua, an official said.

Addressing the farmers, he said Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to slash the interest rate on farm loans to five percent.

He dwelt upon the various steps taken for farmers welfare. He referred to waiver of surcharge and penalty on electricity bills as well as tariff reduction from Rs. 1.20 to 75 paise per unit.

Chouhan announced a grant of Rs.2.5 million each to Bhabhara and Jobatnagar panchayats for development works. He laid the foundation stones for 39 development works to be carried out at a cost of Rs. 141.6 million.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)