Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has scripted a new chapter in the history of Madhya Pradesh. He has taken steps for the progress of every strata of society. This is precisely the reason why he has carved out a distinct niche for himself among all the chief ministers in the country.
The promptness with which the chief minister comes to the rescue of the citizens of the state is incredible. Shivraj could feel the pain and agony of the people when a devastating storm hit Ujjain last year during Simhastha. Despite being at the other end of the state, he rushed to Ujjain, travelling for 15-20 hours by road. Similar was the case during the Kanpur rail mishap.
So far, Madhya Pradesh has bagged the Krishi Karman Award four times. The reason behind this is the rapid development of irrigation facilities in the state. The state government is consistently working for the all-round development of the farmers, the poor and all other classes of society. In the coming three years, Rs 25,000 crore will be invested in irrigation projects.
The chief minister had done commendable work in the area of providing treatment facilities to people suffering from serious illnesses. The budget of Rajya Bimari Sahayata Yojana has been increased and the scheme has been decentralised. Now the collectors can sanction assistance for treatment of different illnesses at the district level.
Chouhan has maintained his image of a simple and affable person. He wants that every citizen of the state should be happy and prosperous. A new Happiness Department has been created in the state. Recently, it was decided that employment offices would be developed as placement centres. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to take such a decision. Nearly one lakh youth will get employment through these centres every year. It will be the responsibility of the government to review and improve the implementation of this important scheme every month.
The budget approved this week in Madhya Pradesh is one of its kind. This budget has brought a smile on the faces of the poor. New pilgrim spots from all over the state and the country have been linked to the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojana. The implementation of Mukhya Mantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana in the education sector has begun.
Madhya Pradesh now has its own song and its own identity. The state that was once called ‘Bimaru’ has found its wings. (The writer is the minister for public relations, water resources and parliamentary affairs, government of Madhya Pradesh)
