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Shivraj Singh Chauhan completes one year in office

Staff Correspondent

Focus of the Government remains on development and people's participation

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who completes one year in office on Wednesday, is determined to carry forward his agenda of development with major focus on roads, electricity, water, health, education and employment generating initiatives, especially in the rural areas.

Mr. Chauhan told The Hindu on Tuesday that it would be his endeavour to take the State on the path of development by ensuring transparency and providing an impartial and corruption-free administration. Transparency is essential for ensuring a healthy and vibrant democracy and the State cannot move on the fast track of development without corruption-free administration, the Chief Minister asserted.

He said that the State Government's efforts in the priority areas have come in for national recognition and the "Fastest Moving State" Award, which he received recently from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is a testimony to this.

Mr. Chauhan said that a democracy can be strengthened by ensuring people's participation in the decision process.

He added that he believed that the Government, bureaucratic machinery and the people should converge on a common platform to identify problems as well as to draw strategies and frame policies for implementation.

In order to meet this objective, a Mahila Panchayat and a Kisan Panchayat have already been organised to address issues concerning women and farmers. He also plans to hold an Adivasi Panchayat to focus attention on issues linked with the tribals.

The Chief Minister also announced that the State Cabinet would be expanded and the portfolios reshuffled after the December 4 by-election for the Pandhana Assembly seat in Khandwa district.

Madhya Pradesh also claims to have emerged on top when it comes to the implementation of the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Scheme.

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Shivraj Singh Chauhan completes one year in office

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