Hukumchand Mills’ issue our priority but it is knotty, legal issue, says minister

Madhya Pradesh transport and public grievances redressal minister Bhupendra Singh has said that Hukumchand Mills’ issue is our priority. But it is an old, complicated legal issue. We have taken cabinet decision in this case.

Madhya Pradesh transport and public grievances redressal minister Bhupendra Singh has completed two years as minister in-charge of Indore district. In a brief interview, he talks about Indore’s key issues.

Transport and public grievances redressal minister Bhupendra Singhin Indore.(Arun Mondhe/ HT photo)

Ex-workers of closed Hukumchand Mills have been struggling to get dues worth Rs 229 crore for the past 24 years, though CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan promised help. When will they get their money?

Hukumchand Mills’ issue is our priority. But it is an old, complicated legal issue. We have taken cabinet decision in this case. Our state industry department and urban development department will resolve it in the near future.

More than 3,000 members of co-operative housing societies haven’t got plots, though the CM promised to address their concerns in 2009. The problem is more acute in co-operative housing societies whose lands were acquired by Indore Development Authority. What steps have you taken?

We have filed police FIRs against willful defaulters and accused society office bearers. I have asked the district administration and cooperatives department to resolve pending issues expeditiously. Many cases are pending before court; therefore it will take some time. But the collector is reviewing them weekly. I will take up this issue in my (next) Indore visit.

Which are the five major development projects you couldn’t get implemented?

Indore city should develop as the best smart city of central India. We are involving people in making a participatory development plan.

What kind of development do you want for Indore city?

Smart City project, Amrit project and the metro train project will provide adequate funding for development works for Indore, which will shape it as central India’s best city.