CITIZENS’ REPORT CARD

Compiled by : Madhya Pradesh Media Platform ( www.mpmediaplatform.com )

(Editor -Shashidhar.S.Kapur )

POLITY

CONG

Key Decisions / Positives:

• Mayorial / Local Bodies – without party symbol.
• OBC reservation from 14 to 27%.
• 10% reservation for EWS.
• Nimble Polity – ducked Bijli, sadak issues resurfacing nicely.

Grey :

• Fool proof cases of all the scams being prepared – now that Cong has more access to records – is being done ; honey trap scandal politicised.
• Asking party to have offices in all districts.
• Activating Sewa Dal in flood relief as an afterthought.

Dark :

• Mayor to be elected indirectly .
• Right to recall in Local Bodies annulled.
• Reservation mooted in private sector Corporations , Boards too.

Editor’s take :
Positives

• The last mile Local Bodies’elction is personality based –impersonal symbols have marginal significance. It is a corrective step.
• With substantial OBC population , increasing reservation accordingly is the right move.
• Affirmative action was needed ( as they’ve done with10% EWS-economic criteria.).Total reservation- cum –affirmation should be stretched upto 75%(neither exceeding 50% ) in a developing state
• Blowing up electricity and roads issue had an element of sabotage too particularly involving lower officials-stern action on outsourced electicity employees and swift patchwork of roads scuttled it.

Grey :-

• The excuse cannot hold for much longer .Concrete action is a must –else credibility loss.Jan Abhiyog must present report ASAP.
• Party offices justified only at those places where political activity was held throughtout opposition role and strongholds- they must be earnt, otherwise corruption charges could stick.

Dark:

• Regressive- at the last mile it is near direct democracy( which complements the indirect democracy at the National level). So, the Mayor needs to elected directly albeit without a party symbol.
• Regressive- Right to recall an effective tool at the local level.Ideally, it should be Right to removal by Speaker at the Parliamentary level to entitlement to recall by public at the Local level.
• Regressive- Affirmative action is OK viz. giving incentives to only those industries which employ 70% locals.

Idea

• Begin a Vision sharing Yatra by Youth- disseminating morselised versions.( Perhaps already in the works)
• Restart the Sarvdharma Prayers of Gandhiji in all Party Headquarters.

BJP
Key Decisions / Positives:

• BJP with its best ever tally in LS( post1977)

Grey

• No movement/agitation sustained – viz. Gandhi Yatra;
• Polity disruptively nimble –BJP withholding monsoon relief at the centre while, both protesting locally , Urea quota delayed , GST share unpaid
• Groupism ( Dhade Baazi )
• BJP membership drive slackened for most part – picked up incremetally after 370.

Dark

• Only one woman in around 100 mandal adhyaksha.

Editor’s take :
Positives :

• LS success saved the party from imploding…will hold till local bodies’ election whereafter it’ll charge or implode as per the results.

Grey

• Too many satraps not sustainable – hence no movement succeeded.A situation like Congress of past decade.
• Ineffective disruption.
• Group subversion (Andar he Andar nipta denge) likely to result in many Pokhran like implosions.Beginnin after Local Bodies elction-perhaps after W.bengal election ; certainly around 2022.;
• Oposition slumber despite Lok sabha victory despite the fact that no other state has such heavyweights- unrealistic membership targets.

Dark –

• Going back to dark era- low /no woman representation

Idea

• BJP should take out Chandrashekhar Azad/ Shankar Shah Yatra ( Chandra Bose had suggested Subhash Bose yatra in Bengal when the Gandhi Yatra by BJP failed).

Overall

The state is not deeply politicized – CAA protests were subdued ; opposition too didn’t put the ruling dispensation on mat inspite of huge numbers . Having flopped in the battles of Vidhan Sabha and Mantralya , BJP is changing tracks to take the fight onto streets and Panchyats… Congress will have to gear itself for scruffy street fight in the forthcoming local bodies’ elections…While this toe to toe boxing may be good for the state as a whole ,it can never be inclusive and participatory growth without Citizens /NGO’s being politically active.

LEGISLATIVE
Key Decisions / positives :

• Right to water.
• Right to health.
• Vidhan Parishad mooted
• M.P. Law Commission reviews 1350 laws around 370 could face sunset
• A Session proposed on Gandhi.

Grey

• VS Sessions.- incrementally longer yet much shorter than scheduled.
• Removing and then reinstating Praduman lodhi.

Dark

• Two Opposition Mla’s concurring with the ruling party in the absence of a whip.

Editor’s take :
Key Decisions / Positives

• Water ought to be “ entitlement” instead.( Refer the essay for difference between a “ right” and “entitlement”)
• Health must be an “entitlement”.
• Vidhan Parishad can bring about a generational change in state’s polity. In particular by the choice of candidates- If the “unelectables” are chosen (apart from unrepresented regions, sections in Assembly) , it’ll supplement and complement the Assembly. Among the unelectables – Academics , Activists , Advocacy persons ,artists ,litterateurs and scientists are already incuded in the mandatory list (incl. nomination). Further addition can be made at the level of parties (without meddling with the constituion) to pick up lawyers , Journalists , Medicos and sportspersons to make it well rounded.
• Ideally ,there ought to be a built in sunset clause in every law -ranging from 30 to 100 yrs – after review.
• Gandhi Session must also look into which aspects of Gandhi ideally suit Madhya Pradesh and how to incorporate them.Besides, work in those areas which match his philosophy yet where he couldn’t contibute much- Environment , culture , tribals etc.That’ll be a true homage viz. Gandhi didn’t speak/ write much ( hardly anything ) about environment but his entire life was organic/eco friendly –hence promoting ecofiendly approach would amount to Gandhism.

Grey

• The duration and manner of buiness to be conducted in each session should be sacrosanct .Extend the session if need be to compensate for curtailment . At least for next three years after local bodies election till the last yr of VS.
• Praduman lodhi episode could’ve been handled better by the Speaker.

Dark

• If Mla’s need to be whipp“ ed ” for everything VS becomes a zoo.

POLITICIANS
CONG
KAMALNATH ( PCC Chief )
Positives

• Managed to unite Congressmen after nearly a generation.
• Winning the Jhabua seat.
• Treating the opposition gracefully.

Grey

• Usurped the BJP agenda – Hindu appeasement , Skill development , Infra growth , populist measures. horse trading – matches the Chhindwara script.
• The party came up with worst ever LS performance since post emergency 1977.

Dark

• Holding a meeting of Congress Mandi Adhyakshas in Mantralaya.

Editor’s take :
Positives

• Kamalnath must stay but only till local bodies’ elections.
• The record margin of victory was partly due to rebel withdrawing .
• Restoring the tradition of opposing without animosity; disagreeing sans disagreeableness.

Grey

• Total Politics- pushing your own agenda as also coopting the agenda of others simultaneously- is no politics , it is distortive opportunism.
• With Kamlnath’s undivided attention , the party may have fared better…momentum was lost.

Dark

• Conflating the party with state is usually done by BJP.

DIGVIJAY SINGH
Key Decisions / Positives :

• It was courageous to contest from Bhopal.
• Presenting a Vision for Bhopal

Grey

• Extra constitutional presence – shooting letters to ministers in a directorial tone , landing up in person in Mantralya for specific works et al.
• Controversial statements on everything and anything.
• Family drama playing out in public glare – Laxman Singh does a sit –in (dharna )outside his house , meets Shivraj strategically, comments often against party line etc.
• Wife’s conflict of interest in her portal being granted platform and access.

Dark

• Doing Tantrik yagna / havana publically.

Editor’s take :
Positives

• Basically his longstanding wish to extend the family’s political influence beyond Raghogarh / Madhya Bharat / Gwalior state. Eventhough Diggi lost by a higher than expected margin due to a combo of Modi wave and hate undercurrent unleashed by Pragya , yet it galvanised the local Congressmen.
• Brought a lot of Bhopal issues to the fore – alongwith a vision.

Grey

• Diggi’s overbearing presence amounts to meddling in governance Ideally as a Rajya Sabha member he should primarily comment on national matters and those aspects of Madhya Pradesh which have a national footprint.
• Hi s controversial statements –at variance with p arty line many a time may keep him in limelight but is a disservice to the party.
• The drama mounted by Laxman Singh is a repeat telecast – during Diggy’s regime too he was a nettle…Once is a mistake , repeat is defiance.
• The conflict of interest regarding news portal is avoidable.

Dark

• A lot of goodwill earned among moderate Hindus by Diggi’s Narmada yatra was wiped out at the sight of Computer Baba and others performing Mirchi Yagna . A lose-lose scenario: tantriks got a lot of blowback and Diggi was trounced.
• P.S: Even in the recent past Diggi muddled the concept of Sanyas as retirement by not contesting for a decade. Sanyas actually means renunciation and involves going to the grassroots ( not – to Delhi to become even more influential ) …once again his spiritual yatra turned out to be even more political than if it were actually so-knowingly or otherwise. Now, if he really wishes to help the party he must go to the grassroots workers to revive the party there in time for local bodies / panchayat elections. On the other hand , if he wishes to help the state he should take up the chairmanship of the school of governance or State planning & Policy board – to influence policies and vision. Whatever he has done post 2018 has been mostly about himself , son , wife ,family and supporters. Continuing thus he could be Digvijay but never Dilvijay.

JYOTIRADITYA SCINDIA
Positives

• Gracefully accepted Kamalnath as CM .
• Ran a spirited campaign in UP during LS.
• Played the allotted role in Maharashtra

Grey

• Failed to guage the undercurrent after defeat in Kolaras.
• Cockiness backfired – like saying that K P Yadav used to request selfies with him
• Bristling statements tweets ,letters – often tangential to the party line- praising 370 , doubting loans waived, dissatisfaction over monsoon relief
• Permitting obsequious behavior of his ministers-touching feet publically, repeatedly declaring their loyalty to him than government etc.
• Strategic meeting with Shivraj in media glare.

Dark

• Holding a meeting of Smart city in Jai Vilas palace.
• Chairing a meeting of Smart city in the collectorate.

Editor’s take :
Positive :

• It is said that Scindia refused to be the Deputy CM- rightly so as he would’ve been cornered. He must realize that even if he were made the CM would he manage this mess? Only Kamalnath- and nobody else – could get the kind of support from satraps .So, it is best to allow Nath to have his way –Aapka Time Aayega. If Scindia realy wishes to help the party in the state he must throw all his weight behind the local bodies’ elections. In case he wishes to help the government he can take up charge of the school of governance or planning &Policy board , liaison with the centre on behalf of the state , reach out to NRI’s esp. those from M.P.to engage them ..Alternatively he may choose to go to Rajya Sabha in 2020 which’ll make him unique among his peers in having both Lok Sabha & RS experience besides a ministerial stint.
• If he really wishes to help the party he must redouble efforts in reviving the party in U.P. till its VS elctions. This time he must work at the grassroots – leading from behind.
• His Maharashtra lesson would be a key input to party’s new template.

Grey

• Must do a Pryashchit yatra in Kolaras / Guna to figure out basic mistakes and reconnect with grassroots.
• Cockiness ought to be only for the powerful- there are only a handful , if any, who can match Scindia in the pecking order ; for all others , humility and modesty holds the key- for the poor and achievers in particular.
• Unwarrantred statements betray a sore loser –bitterness-real sportsmen emerge better from a loss.
• Ministers shouldn’t be allowed to behave as Darbaris.
• Meeting an opposition leader to build pressure on your own party goes against his father’s legacy.

Dark

• Gives credence to the theory of committed officers.
• Demanding respect is not for those who can command it.

BJP
SHIVRAJ SINGH

• Became offensively- defensive ; offensive on wrong issues – defensive on right matters.

Positive

• Putting up a brave front despite the shock defeat by continuing in the hyperactive mode.

Grey

• Tolerating various rebuffs from the party – witholding , yatra, statements etc.
• Jumping onto issues without rigour- verification

Dark

• The kind of street language and lowly antics taken up multiple times in the past year

Editors Take-

• Shivraj fails to realise that his Karma caught up with him. He scuttled Uma Bharti at her peak with Jaitley- Mahajan help ; Modi-Shah did the same to him with Vijayvargiya’s help…… If he wishes to help the state ,then he must form his own party- that’ll give traction to local issues As of now, it is all about staying relevant – himself , his faction and his supporters .

Positive

• By retaining the same PR agency as before he is on TV/ twitter with crowds – in your face-albeit as a caricature this time.

Grey

• If he really wishes to help the party he must throw his weight behibd the local body elections.
• Picking shady issues- rape of a girl –without verification.

.

Dark

• Every gutter word , antic erases his legacy logarithmically.

RAKESH SINGH .(Party Chief)
Positive:

Kept up the momentum of party workers in LS elections too

Grey

• Unable to manage the heavyweights.

Dark

• Nothing to stem factionalism

Editors take-

• Till the Local bodies elections he’ll keep up the sham of collective leadership…Likely to be replaced after that.

GOPAL BHARGAVA ( LOP )
Positive :

• Held his own despite other heavyweights.

Grey

• Mismanagement of the speaker/ deputy speaker’s election
• Could not put the opposition on mat in VS

Dark

• Failed to stop cross voting .
• Made numerous nonsensical statements incl. –if you eat eggs, meat you become man eaters eventually.

Editor’s take –

• The party may have a rethink on his role after panchayat elections-better suited to be the party chief.

Positive:

• Surviving within the party in no achievement as LOP.

Grey

• Got disgraced in violating the convention of VS
• Put on defensive by the ruling party.

Dark

• Got paid back in the same coin- a la Rakesh Chowdhary episode.
• He may have risen to his level of incompetence as legislator.

GOVERNANCE
Positive :

• Presented a Vision to delivery document.
• Aapki sarkar aapke dwar.
• Report card of Ministers prepared internally

Grey

• Incremental qualitiative improvement –
• Many cabinet ministers managing awards – Jeetu Patwari ; Jaiwardhan at ET.

Dark

• Slipped to 9th Rank in the Ranking for Good Governanace among states.
• Couldn’t resist the Submergence of Sardar backwaters without rehabilitation.

Editor’s take
Positive :

• Now that both a Vision as also the Manifesto is available – all the seen ,known , knowable aspects should be handled at respective levels – only the uncertain, unknowable stuff should reach the CM . As Kamlnath himself has said –“ Hold Manifesto in one hand an the Vision in the other and Govern fearlessly”.
• Aapki sarkar aapke dwar should cover the fullspectrum – Digitally and /or physically.For all those activities which needs field / physical verification (not merely selfie), the govt must reach out. From Patwari to CM.
• Send Ministers to school of governance regularly to improve their indices. It should act as the Knowledge partner of government.

Grey

• An example of incremental improvement is Govind Singh coming forward and taking co-responsibility of Bhopal Boat capsizing – instead of the earlier trend of blaming the junior officials.
• It is avoidable at such early stage in the career- in any case the awards have more to do with the previous regime.

Dark

• The sharp decline is most likely due to the transfer -posting mayhem around LS elctions.
• As it is , the Narmada agreement is unfair to M.P. but inability to realise even agreed goals is disappointing.

Idea

• Introduce an overarching HRD ministry –to bring focus on Human resources.

CM
Vision-

• To change the mindset of people of Madhya Pradesh

Positives :

• He has managed to keep the numbers in V.S .
• Organising Magnificent M.P .
• Innovations in governance- Every member a cabinet minister.
• Corporatising the administration-every file must rise to the level of competence.
• Presenting a Vision Document
• Insisting on economic activity alongwith GDP Growth.
• Emphasising skill development alongside employment generation.
• Bringing the focus back on rural areas esp. agriculture
• Reworking Urban development with smart city- cum satellite town approach

Grey

• Too transactional.
• Less presence in the field.
• Limited communication.
• Disproportion emphasis on mega projects.
• Too inclined towards futuristic.
• Visiting Davos ,Dubai.
• Overconfidence on technology.

Dark

• Telling the Mla’s to take money from BJP but vote with Congress in VS
• Saying that a few more Mla’s from BJP are in line to cross over.
• Appointing religious functionaries with Cabinet rank –Computer Baba , Swami Subodhanand.

Editors take

• Based on his Education and track record : commerce graduate , Doon etc. as also his experience as Commerce , environment , Urban development and parliamentary affairs Minister , he was supposed to excel in these …The results and ideas floating are in that direction…Having changed the mindset in Chhindwara Kamalnath proposes to extrapolate it to the state.
• Our take is that these work best with systemic / structural changes which in turn require inclusion and participation in the form of citizen movements. On the economic front he is trying to transform extractive acvities into transactive. We caution him about transplanting the four D’s -Delhi , Davos ,Dubai and Doon…It is certain that Kamalnath must’ve unlearnt more in one year of Bhopal than he learnt in 40 yrs of Delhi.
• Best case scenario- Kamalnath emerges as the best CM of the state till date
• Worst case scenario- The first saffron Congress CM of M.P

Positives :

• Now that the numbers are managed he must ensure complete and meaningful VS sessions.
• Real benefit calculated by the incentives given v/s investment; the name Magnificent M.P. doesn’t gel.
• Making everyone a Cabinet minister is an oddity- some of them could’ve been MoS with independent charge.
• With every govt. servant rising to his level of “in” competence (due to political linkages) the Kamalnath regime could take a hit.(Way out : If Next yr. onwards / post panchayat elections – at l east 85% transfers/postings are merit based-at least for 3yrs.)
• Vision must be complemented by Manifesto implementation.
• Focus on rural is welcome- Every villager must do at least two activities : Farming and/or Horticulture/ animal husbandry /Pisciculture /village industries/crafts etc.
• Urban development- govt. offices into satellite towns alongwith futuristic townships/niche activities.
• Skill development alongwith capacity building

Grey

• Some things have to be done for the sake of it ,apolitically.
• Ideally, his presence in the field ought to be in the ratio of Growth to welfare activities.
• Communication and interaction is part of inclusivity and participation.
• Backing of futuristic must be matched by support to the traditional / classic-in the same ratio simultaneously.
• Mega projects should be matched in proportion by micro projects simultaneously.
• Unless Dubai , Davos give concrete results by the year end suspend visiting for 3yrs.
• Every technology is a double edged sword – A.I., Biotech included- proceed with caution after insuring for dark aspects.

Dark

• A senior leader shouldn’t be supporting bribes.
• Managing turncoats should be left to the dirty tricks department.
• By the same token a few politicians should be appointed head priests of monasteries.

CABINET
Positives :

• Changing the name of State Planning board to Planning and Policy Board .
• Establishing an IT directorate.
• Standardised Tendu Leaf bag at 2500
• Raising the honorarium of senior accredited journalists to 10000/-
• Linking Indore with JLN port

Grey

• Horticulture college to Chhindwara in first cabinet meet.
• Retirement age of Class III raised to 62
• Rationalizing collector rates for real estate.

Dark

• Increasing the age of direct recruitment of women upto 45 yrs.

Editors take

• Overall the cabinet has been earnest – perhaps due to the sword of Damocles hanging overhead. The idea of taking the Cabinet to other towns once in a while – like Jabalpur- is not a bad idea.- It is merely an extension of Aapki Sarkaar aapke dwaar.

Positives :

• Name change is welcome since Planning and Policy formulation are complementary.
• The proposal to establish a data directorate shows the importance this government gives to data.
• It is like direct money transfer to Tendu leaf collectors.
• Token gesture for Journalists.
• Port linkage and dry ports are key to becoming the logistics & warehousing hub.

Grey

• Should Chhindwara college have been a priority ?
• Must reduce the VRS age for class I/II alongwith.
• Collector rates raised irrationally to benefit owners and rationalised later to placate builders/ buyers.

Dark

• 45 is a suitable age of secondary employment / re- employment; giving fresh employment after 40 is unheard of.

ECONOMY
Vision

• To take the state into top 5 by GDP.

Positives :

• Brought economic issues back into focus.
• Sector specific policies for industries.

Grey

• The depression / slowdown has not impacted MP much.
• Juggling data and shuffling funds ( viz. Managing Roads patchwork by taking funds from other deptts.)

Dark

• Heavy market borrowing , mostly non- productive expenses – loan waivers, subsidies , incentives , write-offs.

Editors take

• Most steps are about–largely concerning sustenance , maintainance . Doing the standard stuff – same thing differently-monetising land , data , minerals ; raising taxes the simple way- liquour , Petrol… Only the different / deprived sections would benefit – the middle classes would get nothing. In a purely transactional approach only economic activity increases sans overall growth…Funds may further dry up in the tussle with Centre – at least till panchayat elections.

Positives :

• Till date it has been about Political economy- must focus on purely economic issues for 3 years after Panchayat elections.
• Sector specific policies must be linked to an overall roadmap.

Grey

• The depression / slowdown has not impacted MP much due to disposable income in the hands of masses , courtesy loan waiver and not on account of any productive step.
• Juggling / Shuffling has a limited shelf life-everything cannot be juggled all the time.

Dark

• Inflation would shoot as would fiscal deficit-time to pause populist measures and focus on growth.

Idea(s)

• Introduce Gig economy ( A sort of obverse of NREGA with 180 days work ): Job work , Jobs , Careers and Proportional Supplementary income.
• Innovative fund raising-Approach Global aid agencies for welfare projects (Just as International agencies have been tapped for Metro loans) ; Crowdfunding by issuing bonds , tap share markets (esp. for urban development ) , pause secondary govt. spending ,CSR funds etc.

SOCIAL
Positives :

• Doubled the pension of senior citizens
• Instituted Indira Gandhi Social Service award worth 10 lakhs instituted .

Grey:

• Insisting upon winding up Jan Abhiyan Parishad
• Take home ration scheme first steps towards home delivery of services.
• Gau Sanrakshan changed to Gau Sewa .

Dark:

• Some minor social security schemes discontinued viz. 5000/- cremation fund.

Editors take
Positives :

• A senior citizen friendly society is cultured.
• Late Abdul Jabbar ( Coordinator- Mahila Gas Peedit sangharsh Samiti) deservedly its first recipient.

Grey:

• It is throwing baby-the concept was good.( It complemented Eklavya like bodies -to keep dissent /at bay). Re -shape it; infuse new manpower ;

Dark:

• Last mile schemes should be left untouched.

Idea:

• Reconstitute Jan Abhiyan Parishad into Lok Abhiyan parishad / Jan Aandolan Parishad.- to create and monitor movements/agitations- viz. Lok Soochna Abhiyan /RTI ; Shudh ke liye aandolan.

ADMN
Key Decisions / Positives :

• Decentralisation of administration from CM secretariat downwards.
• Setting up of a Karmachaari Aayog
• Proactive CS – made the flood management plan of floods 3 months in advance.
• Pay compensation of daily wagers – no yearly renewal , removal at the end of contracts etc

Grey:

• Not a bright idea to have a crisis mgmt committee headed by CS.

Dark:

• Unprecedented transfers before LS elections.

Editors take:

• Opposite of Shivraj regime – In this regime ,the senior officials were shaken and stirred by transfers ; junior officials like teachers were comforted by 35 000 transfers online.
• Must have the policies and S.O.P’s of all departments in place latest by the local bodies election or June 2020 whichever is earlier. Thereafter, the administrators can implement all the programmes / schemes freely (By holding policies in one hand and S.O.P ’s in the other ) besides creating new ones autonomously.

Positives:

• Proactive CS – perhaps making up for the lost time in career.

Grey:

• In the light of mismanagement of monsoons – same person cannot have both qualities – crisis as well as opportunity.; Ideally it ought to be a promotee.

Dark:

• Transfer -Posting industry must be hugely disincentivised/ shut down.

Idea (s):

• Change the name of Prashasan Academy- The word “ Management” (added post 1990 reforms) must be dropped…Logic is that administration and management are combined in a single individual only at the lowest level and they’re integrated only at the highest level of departments. For the middle level- to which this academy caters – administration and management are differentiated .( If you stretch the argument -by the same token , Indian Institute of management should be renamed “Indian institute of management and administration)
• Have 360 degree plus ACR for promotion and posting respectively .

***

MINISTRYWISE ( MINISTER / DEPTT ) – A SHORTLIST
AGRICULTURE
Minister – Sachin Yadav
Vision :

• To double the income before the Central govt.;make it profitable.

Key Decisions / Positives :

• Loan waiver
• Elec Bill halved
• Corn festival
• Biggest agro processing park initiated.
• Focus on lakes, tunnel/micro irrigation

Grey :

• Crop damage compensation
• To make fast food base from indigenous crops.
• Overlooking the big dam /long term projects.

Dark:

• Stopping Bhavantaar

Editor’s take –

• While the young minister has done a great job a job waiver , given the constraints, his performance in monsoon damage compensation could’ve been better.In this data rich world , Agri growth rate will reduce – it can never match the earlier high of 20%-since a substantial chunk was farzi/fabricated. However, it just cannot go below double digit. He’ll have to make up for it by actual delivery on ground.

Positives

• Focus on value addition and diversification is the right way.

Grey

• Must give relief to those farmers first who didn’t get loan waiver – those who benefitted from loan waiver can get fresh loans-that is monsoon compensation to the one above 50,000/- loan waiver category on a priority basis.
• Congress’ strength has been mega/ long term projects –must initiate them at least after Panchyat polls.

Dark

• Bhavantar ought to be part of the spectrum of farmer friendly measures : loan waiver-subsidy –bhavantar-MSP-marketing et al…bhavantar could’ve been reduced ; removing it is throwing the baby out with bathwater.

Idea (s) :

• Have a mobile cold chain – to save a substantial chunk at the source.

FINANCE
Minister – Tarun Bhanot
Key Decisions / Positives :

• Presented the Budget
• The depression / Slowdown has not impacted MP that much due to disposable income in the hands of masses.
• Clever Juggling/ shuffling funds.
• Managing schemes ,promises of previous regime sans budget allocation.

Grey

• Presented the vote on account
• Money spent on renovatrion of Ministers’ bunglows immediately on taking over.
• Dark : Presented the Supplementary Budget of 23 thousand cr. without any meaningful discussion.Slipped in hugely controversial items such as 400 cr to set up Chhindwara University ( while giving only 4 cr. To Devi Ahilya Univ) , funds for furnishing of offices and guest houses – many items off budget.
• Editor’s take – :

Positives :

• Most steps till date are about sustenance , maintenance economy.. Doing the standard stuff – same thing differently-monetising land , data , minerals ; raising taxes the simple way- liqour , Petrol…
• Only a different / deprived section would benefit – no overallgrowth possible. In purely transactional approach. Gig economy
• Post GST scenario needs innovative financing –Juggling/ shuffling can take you only so far and no more.
• By renaming , redesigning , rationalizing ,moderating schemes and promises , he has displayed acumen.

Grey :

• Covered all the politically prickly aspects in it preventing oversight.
• Ostentatious expenditure should be avoided.

Dark :

• Supplementary Budget is for items which cannot be predicted .Including predictable items is dodgy viz. Chinndwara University was in all likelihood not included in the main budget to avoid hue and cry.

HOME
Minister – Bala Bachchan :
Key Decisions / Positives :

• Crack down on Mafia- organised crime.
• Quick nabbing of culprits .
• Speedier conviction .
• Weekly off for Policemen.

Grey :

• Changing the SIT for Honey trap in quick succession

Dark :

• SC rapping the state govt. for inability to control crimes against children. fined 10 lakh rupees.

Editors take :

• The tribal face , nimble footed minister with a mature approach stumbled and fumbled intitially before finding his bearing towards the year end. Overall crime hasn’t changed by much – only quantum of those crimes for which the state is infamous crimes has come down. Attacking organised crime is fine but protecting the unorganised citizens-women, children ,poor is equally important.

Positives :

• The crackdown is not sustainable beyond the Local bodies’ elections-mafia has gained ground over decades and cannot be tackled overnight…entire state is in the grip of some kind of organised crime. Must hasten slowly on action.
• Improve intelligence.
• Work on prevention.
• Reduce the work hours too.

Grey :

• The outcome on systemic crime – VYAPAM, Honey trap etc .would be the litmus test.

Dark :

• Social Policing and Intelligence holds the key in these.

3

WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Minister – Imarti Devi
Key Decisions / Positives :

• 51000 for Kanya Vivah.( alongwith Min.of social justice)
• Aanganwadis to be upgraded like prep schools.
• Supplying Egg in mid day meals.
• Mid – day meals to be prepared by SHG’s.

Dark :

• MP agro to coordinate the Mid-day meal scheme.

Dark :

• No worthwhile steps for women empowerment.

Editors Take :

• This is one area in need of transformatory change which Imarti Devi appears to be less than equipped to bring about. It is an issue which is too big to be handled by government alone – engage the opposition , NGO’s , spiritualists e t al. Convert it into a movement….You cannot design a futuristic state without future ready citizens.

Positives :

• While all the above decisions are laudable they’re merely incremental

Grey :

• Co-ordination of Mid-meal by Mp Agro is merely replacing brokers with contractors…Ideally the material ought to be supplied by MP Agro via contractors and SHG’s must cook and serve.

Dark :

• Something concrete needed –may begin with egalitarian tribal societies.
• Idea : Initiate SIG –self improvement groups-of women.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Minister – PC Sharma
Key Decisions
Positive-

• Replacing propaganda with communication.
• Publishing Book about 100( later claim of 365) fulfilled promises
• The presentation of report cards .

Grey :

• Public communication not commensurate with work .
• ITA awards in Indore .
• The slogans of “ New M.P”; “Magnificent.M.P.” are cliched, “Dil Ki Dhadkan” was also used by Chhattisgarh .

Dark :

• Absence of digital media policy even after a year- a free for all benefitting cronies – advertising , marketing ,and PR persons running news websites.
• Plan to host IIFA in Bhopal ,Indore.
• Plans for a film City

Editors take :

• PC in his 24/7 avataar can at best do same thing differently but never any “different/pathbreaking” stuff. In that he comes out as Congress’ Shivraj- writes letters to all ,promises everything to everybody ,tries to help everybody all the time… It is said that a politician should not say “no” but as a senior politician he must say “yes” only after everyone else has said “No” or nobody says anything . Else, he may end up as a glorified corporator than a minister .By the local bodies’ election either PC modifies his style or he sheds some workload.

Positive :

• Downsizing propaganda is fine but CM’s photo should be limited to VS ,Cabinet decisions and the ministries held by him , rest must project the concerned ministers.
• Hopefully ,next year onwards the claims of fulfilled promises will sober down.
• Report card presentation should be a public exercise.

Grey :

• Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwar is too little too late- it ought to have been simultaneous.
• Holding ITA in Indore was a bordereline case as TV has some potential in Madhya Pradesh.Focusing on TV is good but in this ad-hoc manner ?
• The slogans of “ New M.P. ”; “Magnificent.M.P.” are cliched, “Dil Ki Dhadkan” was also used by Chhattisgarh . “ Naya M.P.” could be both good or bad – instead “ Behtar Madhya Pradesh” is unambiguous ; “Magnificient M.P” could be catchy for Anglicised Corporates – something like “ Vishesh Madhyapradesh(i)” may better highlight “Uniqueness”; “ Bharat /Desh Ki Aatma” could be subtler version of “Desh Ka Dil” than “ Desh ke dil Ki Dhadkan .”

Dark :

• Must come up with a digital media policy ASAP ; latest after Local Bodies’ election
• IIFA only helps the producers –it is location neutral. International events help only those places which are at least National hubs of films. In soft power we have to be the creators, at least co-creators.
• We are among the few in the country with first hand ,lived in experience of a film city ; In the prevailing formats , it is impractical for the state.

SCIENCE and TECH
Minister – PC Sharma
Key Decisions/ Positives :

• Science city proposed near Goregaon in Bhopal ; Chhindwara , Jabalpur too.

Grey :

• Appointing a placement officer of MANIT- Congress politician’s wife –as DG MAPCOST.

Dark :

• Almost defunct till date.

Editors take :

• If a person with Engineering background cannot be proactive in S&T, it is disappointing.

Positives :

• Science activities need to be revved up at the same pace as the science city comes up.

Grey :

• Recommendation is OK but Patronage is avoidable in postings.

Dark :

• Congress’ US P is Science (as against Tech focus of BJP).Make up for the lost time ASAP.

ADHYATAM VIBHAAG
Minister – PC Sharma
Key Decisions / Positives :

• Sant Samagam – Confluence of Gurus , Babas , Sadhus ,Sanyasis , Pujaris , Pandits and their organisations .
• Distibuted gifts & diyas on Diwali to the poor.
• Ram Vanpath Gaman initiated.
• Om Circuit.
• Narmada Kumbh proposed.

Grey :

• The happiness Indices commissioned by previous regime in tie-up with IIT are still awaited.
• Happiness Fellowships offered by the previous regimes in cold storage.
• Appointing Subodhanand ( Shishya of Swaroopanand ) as Incharge of temples- monasteries with a cabinet minister status.
• Dismantling the Trusts of major temples – Replacing by governmrnt bodies.

Dark :

• Organising Osho Mahotsav in Jabalpur.

Editors take :

• By coincidence or choice ,science and spirituality are with the same person … that too a Brahmin -it is an opportunity of a lifetime being frittered away. It remains a Baba- Guru service ; Only the beneficiaries have changed ( from Ramdev/ Ravishankar/ Jaggi to Computer Baba / Swaroopanand /Achrya Pramod Kishan.)

Positives :

• From catering to a few Gurus, Babas in the previous regime to broadbasing it by including pujaris , pandits and their organisations -politicisation of religion. Sant Samagam should’ve involved Sufis , Jains and others too.
• The joy of giving should be promoted – distribute gifts on Eid and other festivals too.
• Must clearly distinguish between Religious travel / pilgrimage and spiritual Journeys. Just as ordinary travel is motivated by a result while tourism is inspired by inward need so too in religious travel /pilgrimage and spiritual Journeys/ tourism. The state can have a managerial role in pilgrimage but must stay away-at best facilitate- spiritual journeys…The essence of Ram Path would be lost if it is developed as religious pilgrimage .To combine both all the development should be done away from the line of sight of Ram Path- those on a spiritual journey must walk next to the path –never losing – sight of it – so as to experience the same difficulty as Ram faced (Tapa) while the ones on a pilgrimage may move on vehicles away from sight ( Like Narmada Parikrama- A parikrmavasi is supposed to never lose sight of Narmada while a traveler may skip portions )
• Various other similar circuits may be added later.
• Narmada Kumbh is good idea all round cultural activities to complement Parikrama. Ideally , govt should be merely be a facilitator of spiritual/ traditional part and organisor of the cultural section.

Grey :

• It is rumoured that happiness indices were not published since they were not flattering – going against the image of this happy/ tribal state.
• Withholding the Fellowship process makes the department poorer in vision.
• Catering to religious people in the name of spiritual .Darbari/Sarkari Babas / Gurus diminish their aura.
• Dismantling the religious trusts of Temples is fine but Trusts of spiritual bodies must be left untouched.

Dark :

• Counter culture has a place but mainstream spaces are not the ideal location It would be better to hold the next edition in Gadarwara- his birthplace. (Just as Sri Vidya Seminar was organised by previous regime at Sanchi)

Idea :

• Initiate work on Science & Spirituality connect.
• A comprehensive name could be Chetnatma Vibhaag (Chetna plus Aatma )
• Hold Sarvadharma Sabhas ; Interfaith dialogues (Gandhiji’s Sarvdharma Prayers can be a template )

URBAN
Minister – Jaivardhan Singh
Vision-

• To make MP No.1 in Livelihood ; Increase SHG from 4 to 15 thousand.

Key Decisions / Positives

• Developing remaining -Nagar nigam (Non-Smart city)as Model Towns
• Rapid bus in addition to metro inter city
• Transit Buses
• Indore decentralized Model of urban waste to be replicated elsewhere.
• Enhancing the discretionary funds of local Bodies is good as is the guideline for them to raise funds on their own- Let there be bons / share market as also data properitorship
• Dust free cities.

Grey :

• MP gets Smart state award and Bhopal Smart city award

Dark :

• Odd decision to appoint Aldermen in all the municipal bodies – even those with barely a few months left .Dismissing over 1000 sitting aldermen.

Editors take :

• MP must have best Mid sized cities ; most liveable – for the same income offering the best quality of life; the favoured place for middle classes
• This is among the better performing departments but whether the credit should go to the minister remains to be seen ( given his background / family , the entire system is favourably inclined ).He’ll have to perform twice as well for half of credit in the eye of intellectuals.

Positives :

• Replacing the cluster model totally with decentralised Indore model should be reviewed .Both have their merits/ demerits and work better for smaller towns and big cities respectively.

Grey :

• It is perplexing – the awards may have come on technical grounds. Even otherwise , the credit must go largely to the previous Shivraj Govt.

Dark :

• This decision to appoint /dismiss Aldermmen at this last hour before the local bodies’ elections is virtually a spoils system

***

TOURISM
Minister – Surendra Baghel

• Vision- MP currently ranked 3rd in value for Money – target top value for Money in 2020

Key Decisions / Positives :

• Summit for global branding .
• Museums for Buddhists , Jains etc.
• Royal cuisine festival
• Concessions or Big hoteliers/ chains for Heritage/ wildlife tourism

Grey :

• Golf course at Sanchi in a PPP model with MPT.

Dark :

• Conflating religious travel / pilgrimage and spiritual Journeys with tourism.

Editors take :

• Time for Madhya Pradesh to go International.

Positives :

• Museums is a good move
• Royal cuisine festival welcome- let tourism board tie up with the royals for a year round activity (incl. Royal weddings)-on a royalty/ turnkey basis.
• Concessions should be commensurate with time bound quantifiable benefits.

Grey :

• Going by the previous experience of India Tourism and MPT at Hotel Lakeview Ashok – it could end up with a private player growing at Public expense.

Dark :

• Religious travel / pilgrimage is never solicited / advertised – at most facilities should be provided ; Spiritual Journeys viz Narmada Parikrama & Ram van path Gaman should be a people’s movement supported by govt.

Idea :

• Proactively form linkages with the GOI “ Swadesh” tourist circuitsscheme lauched recently. M.P. has the potential of maximum linkages- Ramayana circuit , Mahabharat circuit , Buddha circuit , tribal circuit , Jain circuit etc.

***

TRIBALS
Minister- Omkar Singh Markam
Key Decisions / Positives

• Debit card for tribals
• Debt waived
• Licenses for money lenders
• Eklavya Vidylayas increased.
• Converting many Van gram to revenue villages
• Organising Eklavya national school games.
• Enhanced programmeing for nomadic- semi nomadic tribes.

Grey:

• Celebration for Birsa Munda in Rewa

Dark :

• Trying to implant Boomerang of Jungle stories.

Editor’s take

• Protecting and promoting the cultural- civilisational identity of tribals is key to the Uniqueness of Madhya Pradesh- Triveni culture with substantial Hindu, Muslim & tribal population.

Positives :

• Regularising moneylending -cum debit cards will spare debt traps for minor amounts.
• Converting Van grams should be handled with caution- balancing economic benefits with environment

Grey :

• Perhaps the celebration for Birsa Munda ought to have been at a better place than Rewa –with greater tribal population

Dark :

• Searching for Mowglis’s boomerang -a Mythical creation . There is no archaeological/ anthropological/ historical evidence of it.

Idea :

• Revive IFFTAC- International film festival of tribal art and culture albeit in a wider format of International festival of tribal art and culture – IFTAC-viz. including National tribal dancefest of Chhattisgarh by upgrading it to International tribal dancefest. If M.P. with maximum number of tribals will not host an international event -who will ?

MINING
Minister- Pradeep Jaiswal
Key Decisions / Positives

• Auctioned the diamond mine at Bunder ( Chhatarpur).
• Auctioning of sand at Dams too.
• Lauching geo search for more minerals ( incl. rare earths)in unmapped places .

Grey :

• New centralised Sand Mining policy .

Idea :

• No concerted action initiated against Mining / Sand mafia of past regime.

Our /Editor’s take :
Positives

• Must ensure that previous stories of failure (with De Beers and others) are not repeated.
• M.P. first state to auction sand at Dams worth 250 cr.
• This was long overdue – must look in barren land to begin with.

Grey :

• While the govt. may get additional funds , the citizen is unlikely to get much relief in price nor is there a guarantee of environmetal protection. A single contractor system may create monopolies … Ideally, it ought to have been a mix of auction -cum -tender. Perhaps cash strapped govt. will be the new sand mafia.

Dark :

• Barring a token yet sensational fine of 280 cr. on the sand contractor of Hoshangabad ( where the entire auction was of 217 cr this year) for overmining ,no concerted drive is visible as yet.
• Mining and sand mafia was a key election plank – no white paper nor any action insight…Local bodies election should be the deadline.

FOREST DEPTT
Minister – Umang Singar
Key Decisions / Positives

• M.P. regained the tiger state status

.

• Agro forestry promotion- Tundal Bamboo in Chhindwara forest.

Grey :

• Slogans inviting Gir lions in Palampur Kuno without the big cat in sight

Dark :

• Umang Singar claims that there was a 450 cr. scam in tree plantation- the target was 5 cr but 7 cr trees were bought.

Editors take :

• This overambitious second generation politician carries a chip on his shoulder. Perhaps with Bhuria’s entry into the mix, his ambition to be the supreme tribal leader of the state may be moderated.

Positive :

• Merely a rise in number of tigers is not enough … their distribution esp. in natural habitat also should be ensured. Besides , the significantly high deaths- not all natural- too should be looked into.
• Agro forestry has great potential.

Grey :

• If only invitations could ensure the presence of guests we would have the lions by now. It is unfair to ask any state to part with its identity ,Supreme court verdict and Scientific logic notwithstanding. To create a win- Win situation , let Gujarat Tourism handle the proposed Lion safari in Kuno – that way both their identity and revenue would be safe.
• Dark –This is an open and shut case of corruption – hardly any saplings survived… whether it is being held back for political timing o r not –details must be made public alongwith follow up action .

Idea(s) :

• Introduce corporate agro forestry- it is a 330 billion dollar global market. , beside import substitution. Offer forestry to those states / countries which do not have land and need timber / forest produce ;invite Bonds ;promote commercial forestry on Private land. It’ll give jobs to tribals , farmers and others besides huge revenue.
• Additionaly , Kuno should get African Cheetahs too( they used to inhabit the region once ). It has been already studied that there is enough prey for each big cat. M.P. could thus have the Unique Tag – perhaps in the world of- ” Big cat state /Capital “

PUBLIC HEALTH.
Minister -Tulsi Silavat
Key Decisions / Positives

• Launched a drive against adulteration / for Purity –a movement called ” Shuddh Ke liye Yuddh”
• 33 % Budget increase.

Grey :

• Launched Sanjeevani clinics.

Dark

• Botched up eye operations.

Editor’s take
Positives

• Shudh ke viruddh Yuddh must be moderated – Milavat ke viruddh yuddh and Shuddh ke liye abhiyan- mixing inferior variety of same stuff viz. milk in water , syrup in honey etc.should be heavily penalised but only mixing chemicals , harmful additives ought to be criminalised. Ease , inspector raj may return. The intensity too should be toned down-at least after P anchyat elctions- since o ver half the state is / market for spurious goods/ adulterated stuff.
• Since the idea is borrowed from the Mohalla clinics of Delhi , Sanjeevani clinics must perform better than the original.

Dark

• Post botched eye operations. S.O.P.’s must be introduced .This should never happen again.

CULTURE
Minister – Vijay Lakshmi Sadho
Key Decisions / Positives

• Holding various regional festivals

Grey

• Drafting new Film Policy
• Inviting Film singers on the Foundation day.

Dark
Lokrang
Editor’s take

• The right mix of Bohemian- Bourgeoisie and ethno-popular is needed.

Positive

• Regional festivals promote diversity Need to p romote cosmopolitan – cum – syncretic culture too.

Grey

• Merely tweaking up policy of other states , lacks vision.

Dark

• Lokrang was below par – benefit of doubt on the count of it being sanctioned by the previous govt. and minister’s health issues.

HEALTH
Minister – Vijay Lakshmi Sadho
Key Decisions / Positives

• Right to health
• Ayush personnel as Asstt. health officers in PHC – good

Grey

• Wellness centres- B.Sc ( health) – proposed.

Dark

• Pharma companies using patients as guniea pigs ;
• Big fake /spurious medicine mafia off radar.

Editors take

• A Medico as Health Minister can either be transformatory- if she has a vision- or a disaster ( If medico-pharma lobby co-opts her )…There is little scope for an average performance.

Positives

• It would be better if it were an entitlement.
• An Integrated model of alternative medicine should be evolved.

Grey

• The concept of wellness centres must come out of limbo-those with short courses in alternative medicines too be involved.

Dark

• Biological data must be protected at all costs – it is an intellectual property
• Zero tolerance for spurious and fake medicines.

EDUCATION
Minister – Jeetu Patwari
Vision-

• To bring about a qualitative change in Education; Multidisciplinary

Key Decisions/Positive

• Tie up with Cambridge for English Education
• Appointment of Asstt. Professors cleared by PSC.
• The consortium of Universities is a good step by the governor

Grey

• Meeting with PSC Asstt. Proff v/s guest faculty – Idea tutor scheme.

Dark

• Inducting a state govt . representative in Governor’s committee for VC selection.

Editors take

• A dynamic Minister – However , good intentions alone are not enough – they must be complemented with understanding. On the latter front , Patwari needs to pull his socks up. An MoS could be useful sooner than later to complement him. Else Jitu should relinquish one of the ministries .

Positives

• Tying up for English is good ; should tie-up for Math too.
• Appointment of Asstt. Professors cleared by PSC facilitated by removal of stay.
• The consortium was set up by the Governor

Grey

• By merely saying that Guest faculty would not be removed , he has not assured them work…The solution perhaps lies in renaming them as Affiliate faculty (Sahyogi P radhyapak ) for Juniors and Adjunct faculty for Seniors ( Sah Pradhyapak ) and utilizing their services in both Regular as well as Open / Virtual University.

Dark

• Governor was made Chancellor to avoid politicization of academics .That they have become partisan doesn’t mean the concept is wrong…A via media could be to let Governor be autonomous in specialized ,niche areas such as science- tech , classic arts , research etc. while clipping his wings in regular academic Universities.

SPORT
Minister – Jeetu Patwari
Vision-

To take Madhya Pradesh among top sporting States.

Positives

• Emphasizing the importance of a sport as service to nation .
• Promotion of sporting- cum- fitness- culture
• 5% reservation for sportspersons in Jobs.

Grey

• Improving the decent existing Academies of state to make MP a National sporting hub.
• Rural / Regional Olympics.

Dark

• Promise of Play grounds in every Panchayat unfulfilled.
• Not a single player from the state academies in W. Cup women hockey team ( there were several earlier)
• About the scam of other states players in National games , this time hardly anyone in w. cup women’s hockey.

Editor’s take

• The target is overambitious; Develop a M.P model.

Positives

• Not merely money saved on poor health but low productivity mars growth and development too.
• Make it a movement.; announce the next activity at the end of each previous act.
• Good intentioned step in the right direction – providing a safety net to sportsmen in focus

Grey

• Higher emphasis needed on sportsmen / coaches based upon indices( present infrastructure is already decent) ; academies/stadia alone make you a fan , an organiser , a player but not necessarily a champion- human resources must match.
• Terming everything as “Olympics” is farfetched ; Rural and tribal games should’ve been combined; Associating Guru Nanak’s name to a sporting event is not apt.

Dark

• The fact that MP managed to do well earlier at the National games primarily on the basis of imported sportspersons from other states in our academies is now exposed.

Idea

• Engage fitness trainers too ; Use Online service providers –ask them to design regimes for collectives-MP specific routines.
• Make M.P a hub of Adventure and /or Military sports-begin from Bhopal /EME followed by Indore / Mhow

SCHOOL EDUCATION
Minister – Dr. Prabhuram Chowdhary
Positives

• Sending officials / teachers for study tours of S.Korea
• Launching “ Bal yuva Club” in Select Govt. schools for extra curricular activities
• Transfer of nearly 35 thousand teachers online without money changing hands.
• Shiksha Mitra Yojana – immediate recap by App.

Grey

• Compulsory retirement for non- performimng teachers.
• Issue of guest teachers unresolved.

Dark

• Madhya Pradesh students continue to be ranked among the lowest in all reports.

Editor’s take-

• School Education been the Achilles’ heel of Congress’ since Nehruvian times … It requires multiple times the effort for a fraction of results.

Positives

• Bringing focus onto teachers capacity building is a positive move. Trip to Korea makes sense since their kids perform best on global indices.
• Perhaps “ Balyuva Club” / extra curricular activities should be handed over to Adhyatm Vibhag.
• Funded by CSR , the APP may bring about qualitative improvement.

Grey

• Govt. should find a better way- Introduce lifelong learning among teachers with associated incentives / disincentives.. move away the non perfomers gradually onto non- teaching work , stop promotion and / or incentives ,introduce disincentives/ salary cut / reduce age for VRS… Compulsory retirement is too harsh.
• Guest teachers could be renamed Associate teachers (Sahyogi adhyapak) and Adjunct teachers (Sah Adhyapak) based on years of service and their services utilized both physically and online.

Dark

• The performance of our school students remains a national shame.

Idea(s)

• Engage retired school teachers and B.Ed students as Tutors ( not Gurujis ) on an expenses paid honorarium to tutor laggards physically , online Compensation linked to improvement ;
• Tap CSR funds

COOPERATIVES
Minister –Dr. Govind Singh
Positives

• Govt raising its share .

Grey-

• Appointing non- executive administrators.

Dark

• Carry over losses run into thousands of crores.

Editor’s take

• This is one o f the most critical areas for M.P. Gujarat grew economically not merely on account of a corporate culture but also a matching cooperative movement. After t he cooperative elections an MOS could be helpful to aid Dr. Singh.

Positives

• Increasing the govt. share in cooperatives is welcome to the extent of compensating for loan waiver –it shouldn’t exceed 15 % . or the concessions given to corporate ,whichever is higher- else seen as interference.

Grey

• Perhaps it is a move to dig out the dirt before holding elections and not to rock the boat too much now.

Dark

• Matching write offs required in the ratio of NPA write offs.

PANCHAYAT
Minister – Kamleshwar Patel
Positives

• Setting up of Gandhi Gram Sewa Kendra – single window service centre.

Editor’s take –

• A lot is expected from him given the pedigree .A good time to review his performance would be after the Panchyat elctions.

Positives

• It is an extension of Lok Sewa Kendra.

TRANSPORT
Minister – Govind Singh Rajput
Positives

• E- safar ; E -rickshaws for women by women in Indore a good move

Grey

• Proposing Metro for Jabalpur makes no sense.

Dark

• His P S threatening people.

Editor’s take –
Positives

• Perhaps these E- rickshaws could be used for last mile connectivity with BRTS via an App.

Grey

• Metro in Jabalpur should not proceed beyond the DPR in this term. At this point intime.- nature of work is changing. If ci ties designed well the travel would decrease.

REVENUE
Minister – Govind Singh Rajput
Positives

• Granting ownership rights on pattas by amending the act.
• Patwaris to be available of Panchayat Headquarters twice a week.

Editors take

• Much was expected of him , given his dynamism. By those standards , he has underperformed – Is being a Scindia acolyte hurting him?

Positives

• Ownership will allow people to take loans , bail etc.
• If implemented it can bring a lot of relief to harassed villagers.

PWD
Minister – Sajjan Verma
Positives

• Over 55 ROB’s and Bridges sanctioned OMT
• Speedy patch work of roads working overnight after exceptionally long monsoon
• Bids for extending the Medical college Sagar

Grey

• Proposal for a new state guest house at Bhopal

Editors take

• This longterm Kamalnath associate has worked in the same style of quiet efficiency

Positives

• Road Network is enough for at least this term , if not two ; complementing it with Bridges/ ROB is the right move.
• Prevented potholes from snowballing into an issue by speedy and strategic patchwork.
• It was due.

Grey

• Difficult to understand why another State guest House needed at this point.

WATER RESOURCES
Minister – Hukum Singh Karada
Positives

• Irrigation schemes over 5000 cr. Sanctioned
• Focus on revival of lakes.

Grey

• Shakkar , Upper Narmada and other dam projects initiated .

Dark

• Opening the gates of Gandhi Sagar dam at peak monsoon .

Our / Editor’s take-

• The most critical goal is to ensure that the allotted Narmada water is not lost by 2024 – unless M.P is able to utilise its quota. It requires 7000 cr… This senior minister has an uphill task to better the good work done by his department in the previous govt.

Positives

• Irrigation facilities are enough for this term , even two… Need of the hour is storage facilities and dams ; only micro and tunnel irrigation needs a push.
• It is good – will complement the river rejuvenation drive of previous regime.

Grey

• The pace has to be increased – given the lack of storage/ utilisation facilties of allotted quota.

Dark

• His (mis)handling of Gandhi Sagar gates came in for flak.

MSME, MINORITIES , BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY
Minister – Arif Aqueel
Positives

• Several initiatives to develop a favourable ecosystem for start -ups.

Grey

• Shifting Urdu academy from Culture deptt to Minorities.
• No major step for Bhopal gas tragedy issues.

Editor’s take –
Positive

• MSME is going to be the key to the state’s development. Unless he comes up with something innovative in the next couple of months , perhaps a MoS (Independent charge) should be brought in.

Grey

• The academic part of Urdu could go to the Minorities deptt. , if at all, but cultural aspects must stay with culture.
• If he cannot ensure closure of gas issue , few other can.

COMMERCIAL TAXES
Minister – Brajendra Singh Rathore
Positives-

• Extended the limit of filing GST from 20 to 40 lakhs.

Editor’s take
Positive

• He will have to find ways and means of further easing the GST pain.

CIVIL SUPPLIES
Minister – Pradyman Singh Tomar
Positives-

• Portability of ration cards – can take your quota anywhere.
• Home delivery mooted.

Grey

• Implementation of food security act.

Dark

• Crosses the line at both ends- in obsequiousness to Scindia and cockiness in Cabinet. Also while speaking in VS.

Editor’s take –

• He has a key complementary role in making the state into a warehousing hub.

Positives-

• If successful , he could be a pioneer of home delivery of Public services in the state.

Grey

• FSA could be implemented better

Dark

• Unless his delivery matches the antics Tomar’s role could be reviewed after local bodies’ election.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRAY
Minister – LAKAHAN SINGH YADAV
Positives-

• Initiated the process of 150 smart gaushalas.

Editors take

• This is a disproportionately important political item. There is no scope for slackness.

Positive

• Yadav will have to show tangible results by the local bodies’ elections next year.

ENERGY
Minister – PRIYAVARTA SINGH
Positives

• Providing free 100 units @100 and 150@ 150/-.
• Bills of upto 10 HP farm pumps halved.
• Tying up with other electricity boards to manage surplus and shortfall of peak power.

Grey

• Tempo of non- conventional energy not enhanced.

Dark

• Mounting losses of distribution companies.

Editor’s take
Positives-

• This has been the game changer (alongwith farm loan waiver ) till date.

Grey

• This is an area of good work by the previous regime – will need extra efforts to improve upon it.

Dark

• Cutting theft and distribution losses alone can bring down the deficit substantially (MP has the highest T&D losses-27%) –only around 3% tarrif hike would be needed as against present 12%

SC /ST and SOCIAL JUSTICE
Minister – Lakhan Ghanghoriya
Positives

• Doubling the pension of Senior citizens

Grey

• Increasing the amount on marriage to women from 25 to 51 thousand.

Editor’s take

• He has underperformed . It is a tough ask to match the social security initiatives of the previous government. Must pull up socks by Local bodies election or an Independent MoS should be brought in to push the Dalit agenda proactively.

Grey

• There are issues with the delivery- it is now being given in two installments.

PHE
Minister – Sukdev Panse
Positives

• Right to Water.
• Among the few updated websites.

Grey

• Working on “ har ghar nal se jal”- piped water to all households till the last 300m – as against central scheme of 500m.

Editors take

• Panse is dynamic yet faces an uphill task of walking the talk. This is disproprtionately important politically .

Positives

• Perhaps it should’ve been entitlement.
• There is still ample scope of improvement.

Grey

• This scheme seems designed to pre-empt Union govt. flagship scheme of Nal –Jal. That is possible if the rate of delivery is higher than any other state.

LABOUR
Minister – Mahendra Sisodiya

• No registration required for small businesses for the first three years.
• Naya Savera.

Editors take

• Without carrying out labour reforms simultaneously it’ll be difficult to leapfrog into manufacturing.

Positives

• Naya Savera is virtually starting “ Sambal” scheme from scratch by adding benefits and removing ineligible beneficiaries.

RURAL and COTTAGE INDUSTRIES
Minister – HARSH YADAV
Positives

• Gramodyog global

Grey

• Branding of the specialities of M.P viz. Ratlam Sev, Chironj Barfi of Sagar etc.

Editors take

• Unless the last mile industry is promoted the economy cannot move to the next level. It’ll reflect negatively if nothing tangible is done before the local bodies’ and panchyat elections.

Positives

• Online retailers help should be sought

Grey

• No Positive steps beyond announcements.

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VISION DOCUMENT
Editor’s take :

• Vision documents were prepared by officers under Shivraj too but failed to take off partly due to in competence and largely on account of the lack o f communication in palatable form to the last mile official …Kamalnath is doing the Modi trick of by presenting a vision- beyond the term end till 2025 – subconscious messaging is that we’d be there in 2025 too. Vision beyond the innings has to be apolitical-involving opponents too.

Good

• Quanitfiable
• Decisive ( Y/N )
• Time bond (yearly goals )
• Talks of Aspirational outcomes.
• Makes the distinction between growth and development and their interrelatedness.
• Prioritisied approach.
• Evidence based
• Speaks about import substitution
• Talks of Multidisciplinary education.
• Lifelong learning
• Talks of implementing PESA
• Talks of Inclusivity
• Using ravines and other barren land for solar panels is innovative.
• Hawker’s markets with non- motorised vehicles.
• Live telecast of VS
• All departments to prepare a yearly vision and target – to put on website at the beginning of financial year
• A “ People’s Hour .” in VS

Grey

• The target of attaining the national average in HDI by 2025 is ambitious.
• Having a KPI without the HDI indices and Ecosystem indicators helps in planning but not a vision.
• Has the same lacunae as previous vision- not thing much about capacity building
• No state specific model.
• Talks of having 5 institutes in top 200 is ambitious .

Dark

• No talk of inspirational output.
• No talk of participatory.
• Talk of producing Olympic athletes/champions is overambitious.
• Nothing about promoting overall integration
• Nothing about enhancing unity
• Nothing about empowering the citizen
• No tactics for ( worst case scenarios)

Editors take

• We’d been advocating for a Vidhan Sabha Channel since the past term- both principal parties had agreed to it. Now that the production and distribution tech is dirt cheap , it is high time.
• The Bi- annual presentation to CM must be done by the Minister and /or CS(not the deptt. head)- for the minister to organise his thoughts.
• There ought to be a CM Hour – at least one each session
• Selective Live telecast – not complete.

Idea

• Have a joint session for Vision MP@100-apolitical.-As the first task with Vidhan Parishad.

Reference :

• Our articles on Kamalnath 100 days , 6 months ( www.mp-mediaplatform.com)
• Vachan Patra; Manifestos of other parties
• Various TV , Print ,web coverage ,reports .
• Citizens’ manifesto
• Report cards of various ministers
• Vision Document of the Kamalnath govt ; Vision documents of Shivraj Government ;Vision Document of CII
• Websites of Govt. of MP and its various ministries.

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