Shivraj Chouhan upbeat on overall growth, completes 11 years in office

He said one of the biggest achievements during the past 10 years was to augment irrigation potential substantially

Claiming that Madhya Pradesh has attracted Rs 2.83 lakh crore investment, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he would ensure that the growth rate of the state would remain maintained.

Today Chouhan has completed his 11 years in office.

"We have attracted investment of Rs 2.83 lakh crore in Madhya Pradesh during 2014 and 2016. Of this investment a larger portion is taking shape," he said. 

"Companies like TCS and Infosys are coming up in Madhya Pradesh. We have reformed our procedural system and it paid returns on ground ultimately benefiting to the needy. My government is able to create more jobs in non-government sectors; large and medium scale industries and service sector too."

On financial health of the state, Chouhan said the state was not under financial stress. However, his government has put restriction on certain payments to check misuse of funds.

"It does not mean we have any financial crisis. When I joined office, the state had to pay 22 per cent of its revenue receipts in interest payments while now it pays only 8 per cent. It clearly indicates we are comfortable in terms of finances. Our loans are also well within permissible limit, ie, our fiscal deficit is well within 3 per cent limit of the GSDP."

Pointing out that one of the biggest achievements during the past 10 years was to augment irrigation potential substantially. "It has gone up from mere 7 lakh hectare to 40 lakh hectare and my aim is to bring 60 lakh hectare acreage under irrigation cover."

On health and education he said there were problems but situation had improved a lot than it was during the previous government. "I have distributed laptops to those who have secured more than 85% marks in higher classes of schools. And the number is very large than that of private schools. It means quality of school education has improved a lot. Every school has teachers, every hospital has doctors. We have opened seven new medical colleges and several hospital buildings have been spruced up where patients are given free medicines and almost free treatment."

Laying stress on his efforts to bring down malnutrition and improving sex ratio Chouhan said even districts like Bhind and Morena (Gwalior-Chambal region) have improved sex ratio. "I feel uplifted to see my achievements that our flagship scheme Ladli Laxmi Yojana (programme) for the girl child was launched to improve the skewed sex ratio. But only chief minister alone cannot do wonders. Society and public also have to come forward to improve the situation in a democracy like us."