The State of Madhya Pradesh would turn 50 years this November. What were the major achievements all these years?

Lot has happened during last fifty years in different sectors of development in Madhya Pradesh. But this is also a fact that Madhya Pradesh has legged behind many states.

Madhya Pradesh was formed by merging different diverse states like Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh region of central province and Berar. Chhattisgarh is now a separate state.

As for the comparison between the situation 50 years ago and today the irrigation capacity has increased by over five times to 27 lakh hector, number of large and medium industries has increased by 20 times to 818 with investment of about 20,000 crores and government health centers have increased from 1015 to 11,246. In 1956 at the time of the formation of Madhya Pradesh only 179 villages were electrified while the number of electrified villages today is over 50,000 about 99% of the total. All this shows that lot of changes have taken for the better. But I would like to stress that with the natural resources available lot more could have been achieved. Even today about 40% People of the state live below poverty line, 50% children suffer from malnutrition and Madhya Pradesh is counted after Bihar and Orrisa states in poverty and backwardness.

How do you plan to accelerate economic growth?

When we discuss future plans and strategies, we should beep in mind the situation the BJP government inherited when it came to power in Madhya Pradesh about two and a half years ago. We inherited worst financial position, very bad condition of roads throughout the state, acute shortage of power and progress in almost every sector including drinking water, health, industries and agriculture at almost standstill.

First of all we improved the financial situation and simultaneity concentrated on improvement in roads, electricity, drinking water and irrigation, education, health, Agriculture and employment sectors. Now the state is on the right track. We have also lunched new schemes in social sector to help scheduled caste and tribes and people living below poverty line so that they get better education and health facilities and their quality of life also improves.

Concerted efforts are being made to attract investment in industries, with assistance of Asians Development Bank, NABARD and Central Government we have been able to upgrade and construct 13000 K.M. roads, power generation capacity has increased by over 1600 MW, "Jalabhishekh Abhiyan" has been started to conserve water, attention is being paid to Agriculture and allied sectors because about 70% of state population depends on it for livelihood. With improving infrastructure and all-round development we have already received firm proposals of investment of about 70,000 crores. Preliminary minor works have already began for installation of Rs. 10,300 crore Bina refinery which will transform the Bundelkhand region of the state. we have created an additional irrigation capacity of 2.58 lakh hectors during last two years and about 8.5 lakh hector area will be brought under irrigation in next three years. Besides Rs. 1919 crore Six years World Bank aided Water Restructuring Project is improving over 640 irrigation projects with capacity of 5.5 lakh hectors in 30 districts. This with special emphasis on modern agriculture methods, horticulture and cultivation of medicinal plants will bring sea change in rural areas benefiting about 70% of the population.

The State Government is also concentrating its efforts for improving education and health facilities throughout the state. All these efforts are preparing a firm foundation for developed Madhya Pradesh.

Where does tourism figure in your scheme of things in view of it being a high revenue generating sector?

With improvement in infrastructure we are now in a better position to attract tourists in the state. Sanchi, Khajuraho and Bhimbetika are world heritage sites, Kanha and Bandhavgarh are best forest destinations, Jyotirlingas at Ujjain and Omkareshwar and Chitrakoot of Ramayana already attract large number of piligrims, water sports are being development at Bhopal, Orchha and Bargi dam near Jabalpur.

All centers of State Tourism Development Corporation are now providing better facilities to tourists. So this sector is also looking up in the state.

What are the up coming Challenges ?

Removing poverty and providing basic amenities in urban as well as rural areas are the biggest challenge before our government. Important sectors like Information Technology, Tourism and irrigation were neglected for many years. No future plans for basic facilities like roads, electricity and water were thought of. All these sectors require lot of preparation and finances, but within a short span of two and half years the BJP state Government could reorganize things and the state is now marching ahead in the right direction.

The State in facing acute water shortage. How do you plan to tackle this?

We have envolved people throughout the state through "Jalabhishekh Abhiyan" to conserve water. Rising population and depleting ground water sources are creating situation of acute water shortage in almost all the areas of the country. Structures for conservation of water at an investment of Rs. 500 crore are coming up throughout the state. These include stop dams, tanks and farm tanks. Canals of Rani Awantibai Sagar (Bargi), Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar and other projects are being speedily constructed. Projects linking Betwa-Chanbal and Parwati-Kalisindh-Chambal rivers are also being taken up. The local bodies and panchayats are being provided more founds for water supply schemes.

What are current projects for tribal uplift must ?

The overall efforts in all sectors of development are benefiting Tribal areas also. Tribal welfare is a priority sector for the state government. Besides better health and education facilities in tribal areas the state government is promoting cultivation of medical plants and processing of agriculture produce. This will mainly benefit tribal population. Special health schemes for free transportation and medical facilities for delivery in hospital, Vivekananda Insurance Scheme for accidental death, special recruitment in government services and other social sector schemes are specially targeted for weaker sections of society.