The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a proposal to raise reservations for women in state government roles from 33% to 35%. This measure passed during a cabinet meeting chairedby Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, isasteptowardtheempowermentof women through greater access to public sector employment.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed the development, stating, “The cabinet has cleared a proposal to raise the women’s quota in state government jobs to 35 percent from 33 percent now.”According to Shukla, the updated quota wouldbeapplicablefor all the state government postsrecruited through the Public Service Commission and the Employees Selection Board.

Rule update and notification 

Thiswasfurthermadeofficialbyratifyinganearlier decision of the chief minister through a notification issuedon September 13, 2023. The rule amendment comes under the umbrella of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Special Provisions for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997, markinganother step toward the state's continuedpushfor gender equality policies.

Expanded age limit for assistant professors in medical colleges

Alongside this decision, the cabinet introduced another major change aimed at medical educators.  The Cabinet has increased the upper age limit for the appointment as assistant professors in government medical colleges.It has raised thislimit to 50 years, whichopens the doorswiderto increase eligible applicants within this field.

New fertilizer sales centers planned

The cabinet session also saw approval for various other proposals, including the establishment of 254 new fertilizer sales centers, which are set to operate across the 2024-25 kharif and rabi seasons. Thecentersaim to improvethe means of access of local farmers to agricultural input resources.

Thenew resolutions made by the Madhya Pradesh cabinet reflect a two-folddirectiontowardincreasing opportunities in the public sector aswellas in fulfilling the state's requirementsfor agriculture. Thepoliciesarealsoin line with the overall objectives of theadministrationinproviding support for diversity inthe workforce as well as sustainable agricultural growth.