As he completes a decade as head of BJP Government tomorrow, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said the State has made a lot of progress in building basic infrastructure in the last 10 years but more needs to be done on health and education fronts.
Addressing a press conference here, Chouhan spoke at length about his Government's achievements and also goals that still needs to be accomplished as he shared his vision to make Madhya Pradesh, once considered a laggard (BIMARU) in economic growth, a developed State.
"Thought I am satisfied with the work done in the last 10 years, a lot still needs to be done in improving health and education scenario in the State. We have taken steps in these two areas, too, but we have to sort out the problem of shortage of doctors and teachers.
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"We have opened hospitals in villages but there is a shortage of medical staff and to address this problem we have decided to open seven new medical colleges," he said at the media conference organised by the Central Press Club.
"In the initial term, I focused on building infrastructure, especially in the areas of road, power and water. Besides building quality roads, the State at present is generating 15,500 MW power.
"It has enhanced irrigation potential from 7.5 lakh hectares to 36 lakh hectare and raised food grain production from 166 lakh MT to 450 lakh MT per year."
Speaking about his vision, Chouhan said "I have a dream to make Madhya Pradesh a welfare State. In the last 10 years, my focus was on building infrastructure. Earlier Chief Ministers have also done a lot and I am continuously striving to take forward their work."
The 56-year-old BJP leader said in the last 10 years, fruit of development has reached all sections of society and is now set to take giant strides on growth path. The State will not lag behind in the area of good governance.
"I will continue to strive for making Madhya Pradesh among the developed States of the country."
"I consider myself as the people's servant and the same is reflected in my behaviour also. This is my identity. But if I find someone not serving the people properly, I will not spare that person how so ever big he may be," Chouhan said when asked about criticism that sections of bureaucracy are not working for the people's welfare.
Chouhan, the second Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (after Digvijay Singh of Congress) to complete 10 years in office, preferred not to offer any explanation for BJP's loss in the just held bypoll to Ratlam-Jhabua Lok Sabha seat. He said "victory and defeat are part of politics."
Asked about talks of rising "intolerance", the CM said "this debate has no meaning.
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Asked about Digvijay questioning his capacity to deliver when he took over as Chief Minister on November 29, 2005, Chouhan said "I have ideological difference with leaders of Congress. But these are not at personal level. Digvijay Singh has a different style of functioning."
On Madhya Pradesh's economy, he said loans are within limit. During the Congress rule, the Government had to pay 22 per cent interest on loans, while at present it was just 7 per cent.
During these 10 years, a lot of development took place in the BJP-ruled State despite the country facing bouts of economic downturn. A lot of investments, including Rs 48,000 crore from Reliance (Anil Ambani-led Group), were made, he said, adding recently Rs 1,600 crore were committed by an investor.
Earlier the northern part of the State was affected by the dacoit menace, but the problem has been solved. The State has also effectively tackled Naxalism, he said.
In foodgrain production, Madhya Pradesh has left behind leading States like Punjab and Haryana and in the milk production it has achieved sixth position, Chouhan said.
Asked whether Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan would become brand ambassador of the State, Chouhan shot back "I am the only brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh."
Answering a question about bureaucracy remaining dominant in the state affairs, Chouhan said "Bureaucracy can never dominate me. It is me who conceptualises a scheme and they just implement it. They work as per my wish."
On the issue of imposing total liquor prohibition, he said the State has a policy of not opening any new wine/liquor shop.
Referring to the Vyapam scam, he said everyone knows how appointments in Government departments were made in the State earlier (before BJP came to power).
"We have made a transparent recruitment system. We were confident that what happened earlier will not happen again. But then this scam came to light. We have now taken corrective measures to make the recruitment system foolproof," said Chouhan, who led BJP to two successive Assembly poll wins in 2008 and 2013.
