In a relief to farmers whose land was acquired for the Tons hydel project, the Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to return those stretches of land that do not fall under the submergence area as predicted earlier.

The decision to return 885 hectares of land to the farmers was taken by the state cabinet at its meeting chaired by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

"The government has decided to return to farmers 885 hectares of land acquired for the submergence area of Tons hydel project implemented in 1990 by Madhya Pradesh state electricity board," cabinet spokesman and parliamentary affairs minister, Narottam Mishra told reporters.

This land is situated across 32 villages and keeping in view the local opposition, a decision has been taken to keep the barrage's height at 280.05 metres instead of the stipulated height of 282.52 metres, Mishra said.

Following this, some parts of the acquired private land in Satna district will not be submerged. It was also decided that the Revenue department will undertake the process of returning the land, which does not fall under the submergence area.

The cabinet has also decided to create 4569 new posts in various departments, specially school education.