However the agitation continued in some other parts of the state. Meanwhile state government announced several measures to satisfy farmers including purchases of pulses, onions and wheat on war footing.

Stocks purchased were so huge that the government did not have space to store them. The result was that several thousand tonnes of pulse and onions were decomposed and had to be thrown in forest and other isolated places. Still farmers resorted to agitation at some or other places. Though Chief Minister announced several pro farmer measures but still he could not formulate policy to keep them fully happy. Since elections are due at the end of this year it is very crucial for the ruling BJP to satisfy farmers. As is well known, Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed 12 years of remaining in power this year. It was a record itself .Obviously he wants to have another term in the coming election.

Whether he will able to do this, future will alone tell. For this he has to take several other steps. For example, not only he has to improve his relations with administration but he has also to ensure that they work hard for implementing pro-people policies and decisions. CM is not satisfied with the performance of bureaucracy. He has given expression to his anger many times by holding out the threat that he would not hesitate in publicly hanging those officers who failed to perform to his satisfactions. Often people’s representatives including members of parliament, MLAs, office bearers of elected bodies like corporation and panchayat are heard complaining about cooperative non comparative and arrogant behaviour of officers and employees.

Besides pleasing peoples through government policies and programmes Chouhan has been resorting to socio-religious programme. They included holding mass marriages by the government to help poor people to meet their needs connected with marriages. Crores of rupees are spent on this activity. Then old people are sent to places of pilgrimage bearing total cost of the journey, stay and other incidental expenditure. Then he made a more than three month long Narmada Parikrama and planted crores of trees on the banks of Narmada. The total responsibility of Narmada Parikrama was given to district administration.

At present the state is busy with Ekatm Yatra. In honour of Adi Shankaracharya to honour his contributions for the revival of Hindu faith. In this activity also the state machinery is totally involved. People are questioning ow religious activities are bring organised with the government expenditure. Before that huge funds were also spent on holding Simhastha. Whatever many be the cost, the chief minister will continue to organise such activities.

In a message to the people Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the year 2017 has departed. Many sweet memories stay on with us. We have made 2017 a memorable year, which witnessed a host of radical initiatives and historical achievements. Let us be ready to welcome 2018 with these lovely memories, he said.

According to the Chief Miister, Madhya Pradesh is advancing faster in every sector. The people deserve all the credit. They are amazingly enterprising and have all the capability to take enduring pains in the interest of the State.

The achievements of 2017 clearly underline the fact that MP’s spirited people are full of confidence and have unshakable determination.

With the creative energies and positive thinking of the people, Madhya Pradesh has scored new records in development sector. This will continue in 2018.

Chauhan said People are expected to enthusiastically participate in governance for desired results. It is a matter of great satisfaction that they have discharged their duties and responsibilities tirelessly. I find that the people of Madhya Pradesh deserve the credit for unprecedented development in the state. Their role is greater than that of the government. I hold that every task remains incomplete without people’s cooperation and support. I regard them as experts on many subjects and have always respected their wisdom, he said.

“Last year, we had many challenging moments but they were chased away. Thanks to the cooperation and support of the community. Many challenges have been addressed permanently. Innovative Price Deficit Payment Scheme for poor farmers is a shining example of this. Now, farmers will no longer suffer losses even if prices of crops fall.

“Similarly, the concern of our talented students about educational expenses has been taken care of. Their worries are permanently over. They have to simply concentrate on study and score good marks. The government will take care of their education. The examinations are not far off. I would like to urge my dear students to give a New Year gift to your patents by securing good marks”, the CM mentioned.

After Narmada Seva Yatra, people’s faith has been vigorously manifested in the ongoing “Ekatm Yatra”, which began in Ujjain and will culminate on January 22 at Omkareshwar. People are acquainting themselves with the legacy of Adi Shankaracharya, who brought about India’s cultural integration. A huge 108-ft-tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya will be installed at Omkareshwar as a mark of tribute from the people of Madhya Pradesh. Ekatm Yatra is a journey that aims at spiritual awakening of the masses.

Chauhan believes that spiritual progress along with development is equally important. This changes attitude towards governance. It drives away attention from corrupt practices. Spiritual orientation deepens faith in honest means and results in and develops a healthy mindset. That’s why he has taken some initiatives like Tirtha Darshan Yojna, Narmada Seva Yatra, Ekatm Yatra, which are going to enrich spiritual understanding. The integration of government, society and spirituality is a necessary dimension of good governance, he feels. CM’s supporters say that the chief minister is sure to get political capital out of these yatras andhe will be able to influence voters in the next assembly elections later this year.(IPA Service)