Interview/ Mohan Yadav, chief minister, Madhya Pradesh
MOHAN YADAV’S ELEVATION as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh was the result of years of excellence―in student politics, as chair of the Ujjain Development Authority, then of the state’s tourism board and finally as the state’s higher education minister. Plus, there was his affability which endeared him to even his opponents. Caste equations also favoured him (other backward castes are more than half the population).
But those who know the state’s politics say there is another backstory to Yadav’s rise. He had once helped Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tricky legal case.
Now, 11 months into the job, Yadav is a man in a measured hurry. Senior journalist Girija Shankar said there was a “maturity” in Yadav’s functioning which belied the assumption that he, as a surprise pick, was unprepared. An example is the setting up of a delimitation commission to re-examine administrative boundaries, in contrast to the often public pleasing announcement of a new district or tehsil.
Born into an impoverished family, Yadav has never been ashamed of his background and never felt limited by it. He would not think twice before helping out at the small savoury shop run by his father. From boyhood, he exhibited great presence of mind and a thirst for knowledge. He holds degrees in science, law and political science and a doctorate in the last; his thesis was on the perception of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government among mediapersons.
Gopal Krishna Sharma, former professor and head of the department of political science, public administration and human rights at Vikram University, Ujjain, tutored Yadav privately as he pursued his political science degree. Sharma told THE WEEK that he always knew that Yadav was made for greater things. “When he gave his first budget speech, I was amazed at how well he sketched out a road map for the state,” he said. “I want him to achieve in five years what people take decades to do. He will carve out a place for himself at the national level.”
If Yadav is burdened by the inevitable comparisons with his predecessor Chouhan, he does not seem frazzled by those. He is a faster decision maker and does not dwell on consultations for long. He holds the party above the government and does not hesitate to go to the party office in the middle of a workday.
Senior journalist Naveen Joshi’s cousin Kushal Bhatt is a friend of Yadav’s. The chief minister saved Bhatt’s life twice in their childhood―he once leapt into a river to save him from drowning and on another occasion, he kept his nerve to save him from electrocution. Said Joshi: “As a student, Yadav was fond of leading [RSS] shakha parades, brandishing swords and lathis. He attended akharas though he never took up wrestling.”
For now, the chief minister’s focus is on inviting investment to the state. He told THE WEEK that the poor, youth, women and farmers are the focus of his government’s schemes, and that he wanted his state to be a model in terms of their welfare. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ Your selection as chief minister was unexpected. What challenges did you face within and outside the party?
A/ I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the Bharatiya Janata Party. Just as a mother teaches her children discipline, love, and humanity, the BJP has nurtured me and instilled in me a love for our cultural values, grounding my political education in nationalism. My election as chief minister was surprising, but I accepted the party’s decision with respect. For me, this is not merely a challenge but a great opportunity to perform. The BJP in Madhya Pradesh is so disciplined that challenges are minimal. The real challenge lies in consistently performing well for the state’s benefit. Together, we will work towards development and set new goals in every sector.
Q/ What are the most important initiatives that you have launched?
A/ The BJP is committed to public welfare and antyodaya (upliftment of the poorest). Prime Minister Narendra Modi identifies the poor, women, youth, and farmers as the four ‘VIPs’, and our government is dedicated to ensuring their welfare. We are on a journey of social upliftment and spiritual development. Inspired by the prime minister’s vision, we will launch the Youth Empowerment Mission, Poor Welfare Mission, Women Empowerment Mission, and Farmer Welfare Mission on November 1―Madhya Pradesh foundation day.
In the Youth Empowerment Mission, we will focus on education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and cultural and social advancement. The Poor Welfare Mission will emphasise self-employment schemes, social security, housing, education, and health care improvement. The Women Empowerment Mission will prioritise initiatives such as girl child education, the Ladli Lakshmi Yojana, the Ladli Behna Yojana and the Lakhpati Didi initiative, as well as empowering women’s self-help groups. The Farmer Welfare Mission aims to enhance agricultural profitability and productivity.
We have made a payment of Rs224 crore to 4,800 families of workers from Hukumchand Mill in Indore, a case that had been pending for over four decades.
In March, we launched the PM Shri Air Ambulance Service to airlift critically ill and accident victims from remote areas for timely medical attention. To improve access to health care, we merged the medical education department with public health and family welfare.
We are also focusing on developing a tourism and spirituality-based economy in Madhya Pradesh. In this context, we launched the PM Shri Tourism Air Service in June, facilitating easier travel for tourists across key destinations. Eight cities―Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Ujjain, Gwalior, Singrauli, and Khajuraho―now have air services.
To promote religious tourism, we initiated the PM Shri Religious Tourism Helicopter Service, initially connecting Bhopal-Ujjain Omkareshwar and Indore-Ujjain Omkareshwar. Future expansions will include other significant religious and historical sites.
We are among the leading states in implementing the New Education Policy, and on July 14, we inaugurated Pradhan Mantri Colleges of Excellence in all 55 districts, providing quality, employment-oriented education locally.
We have also taken significant steps to regulate loudspeakers and ban the sale of meat and fish in open areas.
Q/ What plans are in place to increase investment and create job opportunities in Madhya Pradesh?
A/ To achieve this, attracting more industries is essential. We are encouraging industrialists to invest in the state and harness its human capital.
To accelerate industrial development, we have initiated a series of regional industry conclaves, starting from Ujjain, then Jabalpur, Gwalior and Sagar. The recently held conclave at Sagar received investment proposals worth Rs23.18 crore, promising to create 27,000 jobs.
We are systematically working to boost industrial investment through the development of several industrial corridors and clusters. Initiatives like the single-window clearance system and ‘Start Your Business in 30 Days’ aim to provide a red carpet for entrepreneurs.
Our faceless and contactless automated systems offer various capital and input subsidies, along with tax exemptions for entrepreneurs. For major investors, we have arrangements for customised packages.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises play a crucial role in job creation, and we are working to integrate this sector into the global supply chain. We have established several industrial clusters where small and medium entrepreneurs benefit from improved facilities for packaging, transport and branding. Our startup policy promotes a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering assistance to new ventures.
Q/ Recently, you visited Tamil Nadu and sought textile industry investment. What other industries is Madhya Pradesh focusing on?
A/ I am actively meeting investors from other states to inform them about new opportunities. During my visit to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, a well-known textile hub, I highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s favourable ecosystem for the textile industry. To attract garment industries, we have implemented a special Ready-Made Garment Policy, offering the best financial incentives in the country for the textile and garment sector. In Dhar district, the PM Mitra Park is being established over more than 2,000 acres, with initial investment proposals worth Rs6,900 crore.
At the ‘Invest in MP’ roadshow in Coimbatore, we received investment proposals exceeding Rs3,500 crore. To enhance trade between Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, we have opened an investment facilitation centre in Coimbatore.
Our policymakers have analysed the state’s strengths and identified focus sectors for investment, and we have sector-specific policies to attract investors.
Madhya Pradesh is rich in high quality cotton, boasts strong transportation facilities, and has a robust law and order system, making it a peaceful destination. Centrally located, we are well connected to other states.
We lead in food grain, pulses, oilseed, fruit, and vegetable production, and we rank first in plant-based protein production. We are prepared to harness the immense potential of the food processing sector. The pharmaceutical sector is also flourishing, with a Medical Device Park being established in Ujjain. Additionally, we are working to strengthen the automobile sector and are making rapid progress in renewable energy.
We anticipate significant investments in the IT sector and have laid a strong foundation for attracting investments in logistics, warehousing, defence, aerospace and tourism.
Q/ Why should one invest in Madhya Pradesh?
A/ Madhya Pradesh is a resource-rich state with abundant minerals, forests, water, agriculture, tourism and human resources. We offer several development-friendly and environmentally sustainable destinations.
Our central location in India provides excellent connectivity, with good transportation facilities including rail, road and air. Various expressways traverse the state’s industrial corridors.
Madhya Pradesh offers essential resources for industries, including land, water and electricity. We have a land bank of over 1,25,000 acres available for industries and have reserved 1,000 million cubic metres of water specifically for industrial use. As a power-surplus state with rich heritage, we provide every possible facility to investors.
With over 320 industrial areas developed across different regions, our government has clear policies for establishing industries.
Madhya Pradesh is progressing with a growth rate of 9.37 per cent, ranking among the fastest-growing states in the country. We are also among the leaders in the ease of doing business index.
Q/ What are the main objectives of the investors meet on February 7 and 8?
A/ Our goal is to contribute significantly to achieving the national objective of a $5 trillion economy.
We are actively preparing for the Global Investors Summit and are organising regional industry conclaves across the state. During conclaves in Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Sagar, I discussed investment opportunities with local and out-of-state industrialists and invited them to the summit.
We are also conducting industry roadshows in other states. Successful roadshows have been held in Mumbai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru and Kolkata, where we engaged with leaders of several national and multinational companies, inviting them to invest in Madhya Pradesh. Through these four industry shows and the series of regional industry conclaves, we have received investment proposals exceeding Rs2.45 lakh crore. This will generate 3.71 lakh jobs.
Q/ Are you concentrating on foreign investment? Which sectors are priorities?
A/ Absolutely. We have developed an investment roadmap for the state and are making rapid progress.
Recently, I met with a delegation from Marqaba ECDS, a joint venture between South Korea and India. In the first phase, the company has proposed investments of Rs2,000 crore across approximately 20 projects, which will create over 25,000 job opportunities. We will continue to monitor such ventures in the future.