A successful administrator is one who builds consensus. The leader having statesman’ calibre brings all stakeholders together on an issue irrespective of their alienations. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, three times CM of Madhya Pradesh is among such kind of political leaders in the country. On one hand, he has worked for the upliftment of poor and downtrodden section of the society through efficient implementation of various welfare schemes while on other hand he amended Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for instilling a sense of self-respect among upper castes and other Backward Classes (OBCs).
A Supreme Court order making a slight change in the provisions of SC/ST Act stated that arrest of the accused without a preliminary enquiry (PE) will not be allowed and provided provision for anticipatory bail in SC/ST act. But the Central government overturned the order through an ordinance in parliament which drew criticism from the upper castes and OBCs.
Chouhan government, on other hand, decided to amend the bill to prevent its misuse and calm down the protest. This was a masterstroke on the part of Shivraj Singh Chouhan government as the protest was called off soon after the decision of amendment was taken. After that, SC/ST sections were conciliated through promises of higher spending for their welfare. Government was fully aware that the apprehensions of the upper castes were just limited to their self-respect. This was a strategic decision as the government knew that upper castes will not have any objection to government’s decision of making a hike in spending for poor and downtrodden sections of society.
Madhya Pradesh has witnessed one of the highest agricultural growth rates in country and therefore, poverty alleviation in the state has been at its peak. The industrial sector also performed well despite the limitations in human capital and industrial base. The tax collection moved exponentially northward due to high growth in services and industrial sector and allowed MP government to open its coffers for poor people in the state.
Madhya Pradesh government under Shivraj Singh Chouhan is known for good governance and caring for its citizens from life to death. With steps like cash transfers for childbirth, marriage, and pilgrimage for senior citizens, the state government has put some serious efforts to make life better for the people. The state has the best track record in implementation of central government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan-Toilet construction, Ujjwala Yojana-LPG gas connection, Saubhagya Yojana-electricity connection etc. More than 10 lakh households in MP got houses equipped with toilet, LPG connection, electricity connection, LED bulbs and fan, clean drinking water due to efficient implementation of the welfare schemes.
The implementation of welfare schemes has overwhelmingly helped SC/ST sections of the society. The self-respect of the upper caste has also been taken care of by the government through an amendment in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This speaks volumes about Shivraj Singh government’s inclusive and compatible approach.
Madhya Pradesh government is also trying to bridge the fault lines in the society through state intervention. A few months back, Chouhan government started a scheme named ‘Purohityam’ under which diploma course is being made available for the profession of priesthood. People from all the sections of society including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes could enroll in diploma course and opt for priesthood as profession. This will bring social cohesion because the downtrodden section of the society will have the equal opportunity like that of privileged sections. The underprivileged castes will not be discriminated and this will help in building stronger societal bonds as no section of society will remain alienated. The administrators from other states should get some lessons from Shivraj Singh Chouhan and walk on same lines.