Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, approved two significant decisions in its meeting on Tuesday. The family of Ashish Sharma, a police officer martyred during anti-Naxal operations, will receive ₹1 crore as financial assistance, and the martyr’s younger brother will be given a government job under compassionate grounds.
Inspector Ashish Sharma, posted with the Hawk Force in Balaghat, was killed on 19 November during a police-Naxal encounter. Recognized for his exceptional bravery, he was awarded the President’s Medal for Gallantry twice, along with the Chief Minister’s Internal Service Medal in 2021 and the Durgam Seva Medal in 2023. He had also been granted out-of-turn promotions by the state government. His last rites were attended by several senior leaders, honoring his service and sacrifice.
In another major decision, the Cabinet discussed reinstating direct elections for the posts of municipal and town council chairpersons in Madhya Pradesh. Under the proposed bill, which is expected to be presented in the winter session of the Assembly starting 1 December, these elections would once again be conducted by direct vote of the citizens, reversing the 2022 change when chairpersons were elected indirectly by ward councilors. Historically, from 1999 to 2014, municipal chairpersons were chosen through direct elections.
Currently, mayoral elections in municipal corporation areas continue to be held through direct voting by the electorate. The new bill aims to restore the same system for municipal and town council chairpersons, giving citizens the power to directly elect their local leaders.
The state government emphasized that both these decisions—support for the martyr’s family and restoring direct elections—reflect its commitment to welfare, governance, and strengthening democratic processes.
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