We're working on infra development, social sector plans: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

In a freewheeling interview, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tells DNA why he was never really worried about being named in the Vyapam scam, how remaining dissatisfied helps him to keep working for the people of Madhya Pradesh (MP), and about his very own brainchild, the state's Happiness Department.

You are among the longest-serving CMs of your party. What is the secret to your success?

All this is due to the blessings of God, the trust and faith my party has in me, and above all, the love of the people. I have only one aim — the service of the people of the state. The party leadership gave me the opportunity to serve the people by making me the CM, and then the people gave their stamp of approval. Even before becoming the CM, I served people as a party worker, MLA, and MP.

What are your government's big achievements in the current term?

It is not possible for me to name one big achievement during the current term. I do not consider anything as big or small, and in any case, it does not matter what I believe in. Someone said Shivraj is not a satisfied person. In a way, that is right. Satisfaction does not allow you to move forward and prevents you from working all the time.

During the present term, we have concentrated on continuously working for infrastructural development and given more attention to the social sector. Education and health are prominent among these. We have also used information technology effectively. In addition, we framed a law under which every person born in Madhya Pradesh can become the owner of a piece of land. This law has enabled lakhs of poor to be landowners.

Also, efforts have been made to implement all government of India schemes, including Jana Dhan, Digital India, Start–Up, Make in India, Ujjawala Yojana, Prime Minister's crop insurance scheme, PM Irrigation Scheme, and others. Apart from this, Madhya Pradesh's record regarding the Ease of Doing Business has also been good. Similarly, good work has been done under the Prime Minister's Swachch Bharat Mission in the state. MP is also ahead of other states in terms of implementation of the Smart City Project.

One commendable thing that can be termed an achievement is the 'Namami Devi Narmade' Yatra, which I undertook for a total of 148 days. I visited 16 districts on both banks of the river. The main aim was to create awareness among the people to conserve the river water.

Also, this year, the state has introduced the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana to ensure that farmers get proper price for their produce. The farmers registered under the scheme will get within two weeks from the government, the difference between the minimum support price and the model sale price.

Several social schemes for women have been started. What has the impact been?

Today, the birth of a girl child is not seen as a curse but as a blessing. This has become possible due to various effective schemes launched by the state, including the Ladli Laxmi Yojana, free education for girls, Mukhya Mantri Medhavi Vidhyarthi Yojna, Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah and Nikaah Yojna etc. Some of these schemes have been adopted by several other states as well.

We have given 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies and Panchayat Raj institutions. As many as 33 per cent government jobs, except those in the Forest department, are reserved for women. A proposal to reserve 50 per cent posts for women in the police force is also under consideration.

Several social schemes for women have been started. What has the impact been?

Much has been talked about my statement. It will not be appropriate for me to talk more about this now. But, I would like to say, MP has been placed number one in the implementation of the Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana for many years.

MP has recently seen a lot of farmers' agitation while agricultural produce has broken records. What are you doing for their betterment?

I want to say with total humility that the Mandsaur incident, which is being termed as a Kisan Andolan, was the handiwork of our political opponents. The farmers of MP are used to uninterrupted hard work. That is why MP reigns supreme in the field of agriculture. The state tops in giving interest-free loans to farmers. The area under irrigation has increased from 7.5 lakh hectares to 40 lakh hectares. Now, we are concentrating on preserving each and every drop of water.

Irrigation projects under the Narmada valley are being completed at a fast pace. The distribution of Soil Health Cards and Kisan Credit Cards is going on all the time. A system has been put in place for certification of seeds so that farmers can get good, certified seeds easily. On the directions of PM Narendra Modi, we have prepared and implemented a roadmap under which a farmer's income would be doubled in the next five years. MP is the first state in India to prepare such a roadmap. I am the son of a farmer and I have taken a pledge to work for the betterment of farmers.

You have been one of the most senior CMs in the party and a member of BJP's Parliamentary Board — right now the only CM to have this honour...

I have always discharged with total devotion, strength, and hard work any responsibility the party has given to me. It is only the BJP in which ordinary workers such as Modiji, Shahji, Kovindji, and myself can hold dignified and constitutional posts.

Please tell us about your new schemes and policies.

I would like to dedicate 2018 to the happiness and prosperity of the people of MP. I also want to send a law to the Centre, providing for capital punishment to those involved in raping minor girls. A Bill for this may be brought in the next session of the state assembly. We also want to intensify the campaign against corruption.

MP was the first state to create a Happiness Department in the government. What have been the achievements of that Department?

I was inspired to set up of the department by my imagination. There are many parameters for happiness and these can differ from person to person. The main effort is to reduce the tension in the lives of people.

CBI has given a clean chit to you in the Vyapam scam. Are you relieved?

I was never worried. Would I have ordered an inquiry, had I done something wrong? In a democracy, the ruling party and the opposition will play politics, but to do so on the basis of forged documents is condemnable.

What are your views on the issue of liquor ban?

I am of the firm opinion that prohibition cannot be enforced by law. We have seen what has happened in states where the law was used to enforce prohibition. The state government had decided in 2007 that no new liquor shops would be opened in MP, and 66 liquor shops on the banks of Narmada have been shut down.