Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced at MP Foundation Day at Lal Parade Ground that the films shot in Madhya Pradesh would run tax free in the state. Chouhan, however, did not elaborate whether the films for tax free screening will be fully or partially shot in the state. The state will organise an international band festival to commemorate 100 years of Maihar Band next year, he added.

A huge crowd had assembled at the ground to hear music maestro AR Rahman in concert performing on the occasion.

The CM said cribs from certain quarters notwithstanding the state would continue to organise grand celebrations on its foundation day in the future.

Without naming any political party, the CM said he was anguished by reactions of some people over the celebrations. Such functions should not be painted in a political colour, he added.

Maihar Band would be completing its 100 years next year. The state would celebrate its traditional band lavishly with an international band festival, said Chouhan.

State BJP chief Prabhat Jha also attacked Congress without naming it. He said he would not like to talk about past. He said state had shed its backward tag in last few years. Advocating such kind of celebration Jha said this was 'janata niti and not rajniti' (policy of the people and not of the state).

Governor Ram Naresh Yadav said state had moved forward but still a lot remains to be done. Culture minister Laxmikant Sharma, MLAs representing Bhopal, Mayor Krishna Gaur, minister Babulal Gaur, Jayant Malaiya, former CM Sunderlal Patwa, Dhruv Narayan Singh were present.