'We've put money in people's hands, improved economy & transformed lives, even in Bastar'

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel completes four years in office and steps into election year on a strong footing, having won all five bypolls since the landslide election victory of 2018. Baghel, who likes to play on the front foot, tells TOI how his work towards strengthening local economy will reap dividends, why he doesn’t think BJP is a challenge in Chhattisgarh and how he plans to tackle the challenges ahead.Excerpts...
What is your biggest achievement in the past four years?
There has been a visible change in peoples' lives. There is now financial security for farmers, the poor, labourers and others due to our schemes. Despite economic slowdown and unemployment in many other states, these sections in Chhattisgarh did not feel the pinch due to our welfare schemes that are aimed at putting money directly in their pockets. Our Gau Dhan Yojana, under which we purchase cow dung for a price, is a unique one for their benefit. Over 74% of the country's minor forest produce is procured by Chhattisgarh. Every year, we win the Centre's award for this and a Union minister flew down to present this award.
More than Rs 1.5 lakh crore has directly gone into peoples' accounts. There are no middlemen. As the money came to the rural masses, people bought whatever they wanted, built houses, bought motorcycles or land and so on - triggering a surge of economic activity in rural areas, an economic cycle. There has been no impact of Covid on the economy of rural areas.
In 2015-16, there were 12 lakh registered farmers but because of our policies the number has gone up to 24 lakh. Earlier, the crop area was 22 lakh hectares, now it has increased to 30 lakh hectares. Earlier, farmers used to sell 50 to 60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy under support price. It kept growing exponentially under our government. This year, it is all set to cross a whopping 1.10 lakh MT!
We are procuring tendu leaves for Rs 4,000, which was Rs 2,500 earlier. This money is helping people buy things they need and want. It's transforming lives.
This change is visible even in tribal areas of Bastar where people are buying tractors and other vehicles. Earlier, there used to be opposition from certain sections, including the Maoists, against construction of roads in Bastar but now such protests are not there. Overall, there has been no economic slowdown in rural areas. Money is coming into peoples' hands and it's coming back to the market. It's a cycle. The number of tubewells dug and solar pumps have gone up exponentially while electricity connection and power consumption have gone up considerably.
Earlier, people died of even minor diseases. Not any longer. Earlier, people used to say that in Maoist-affected Bastar, more paramilitary personnel died from malaria than bullets. We launched a door-to-door campaign for malaria testing. To ensure maximum testing, we used indelible ink to mark those who were already tested. In the last couple of years, malaria deaths have come down drastically.
You've spoken about the changes in the state. Have the lastfour years as CM changed you personally?
There were many things which I was concerned about. I wanted to change things, make it better. Now, I have an opportunity to work and address these concerns and challenges. Today, I am focused on my work to bring about changes in the lives of farmers, women and children. Our understanding is that it will come only through education, health and other basic facilities. I have focused on these things. We have started more than 140 government-run Swami Atmanand English medium schools. Even in Bastar, people are now demanding the opening of English medium schools and branches of banks in the villages. It's a clear indication.
Mobile vans roam around the rural areas and even urban areas, providing health facilities and testing facilities. These health vans have already reached 1,800 haat bazars of village markets in tribal areas.
As you step into election year, what are the challenges ahead?
Whatever challenges are there, it's our own challenge. I don't consider BJP as a challenge in Chhattisgarh. As a state, Chhattisgarh has its own challenges. The state has minerals and other natural resources in abundance but why are people still poor? As much as 40% of people live below the poverty line. Malnutrition is 41% . We have a Maoist insurgency problem. Earlier, many schools were demolished but now we have reopened about 160 schools.
Will factionalism in Congress have an impact?
Congress factionalism will not have any impact on the party prospects in the state.
There have been several ED and I-T searches in Chhattisgarh...
They (central agencies) are permanently here. Certainly, it is a conspiracy. You (BJP) are unable to fight politically, so you are trying to defame, discredit and harass us. They are now wielding power. But the people are watching everything. They will answer. The previous BJP government, headed by Raman Singh, arrested me, and see what happened next. Hum darne wale, jhukne wale log nahi (we will not be afraid or bow before them).
You've said earlier that the Centre isn't giving the state its due funds. How are things now?
Support or cooperation from the Centre is lacking. We are not getting coal royalty of Rs 4,100 crore and even mineral royalty. Thousands of crores of payment to the state is pending, causing financial burden on the state. We are regularly writing to the Centre to release these payments.
What about the old pension scheme and the Centre's stand not to return the money to Chhattisgarh?
Nobody can stop the OPS scheme. It is employees' fund. It's their contribution and it's their money. Nobody can stop it. They can withdraw it. I am discussing with officers how to go about it.
After the Himachal Pradesh success, do you see yourself in a central leadership role in Congress?
I am a humble Congress worker. I have never asked for anything for myself. I have passed through several states in my political life. Whatever the high command says I will follow.
You have worked as an observer for Congress in assembly elections in several states. How do you rate Congress's chances in 2024?
I found everywhere that people are fed with this environment of hate, inflation and unemployment. Life will not move on with this. People want jobs, development, education, health and so on to carry on with their lives. People want employment, a good life and an environment free from fear. Mark my words, change is coming.
AAP seems to have cost Congress many seats in Gujarat. Are you concerned about their presence in next year's assembly polls in Chhattisgarh?
They have been trying this in every state but they may not be successful here as the situation in every state is different. Chhattisgarh has always been a bipolar state and AAP will not be in a position to cause any dent here. They may try, but AAP has no significance here. It is not even worth discussing.
There has been no cabinet reshuffle in your government. Is one likely ahead of the 2023 election?
It's for the Congress high command to take the call. If the high command says so, it will happen.
What is the response to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra?
Rahul Gandhi's padyatra is bringing about a massive change. It's getting a massive response. Whenever such a padyatra takes place, it evokes strong response and leaves an impact. Adi Guru Shankaracharya took out a padyatra, as did Bhagwan Buddha, Mahavir and Vivekananda ji and many rishi, muni and social reformers.
On the political side, Mahatma Gandhi, Vinobha Bhave and Chandrashekhar - all yatras have left an impact.
The impasse on the 76% reservation bills continues...
The Governor has raised certain queries on the bills passed by the assembly. The Governor has no powers to ask such questions. The constitutional provision is that the Governor, if not satisfied, holds back assent for long, returns it for reconsideration, or forwards it for Presidential assent. There are three options. The fourth option that the Governor is taking isn't done. She doesn't have these powers. Raj Bhawan's legal advisor should not have given such an opinion.
Where does the Maoist problem stand now?
Incidents of Maoist violence have been on the decline and no major incident, except for one or two, has been reported in the last four years.
Earlier, Maoists used to storm the camps of security forces and inflict casualties. But, now it's the security forces who storm their hideouts. There is a big difference. Along with strong security countermeasures, our social, political and economic policies, coupled with grant of forest rights and returning land acquired from the tribals for industrial projects and granting forest rights, have helped develop confidence among the local people. This has pushed the Maoists on the back foot. It also helped to build confidence among the local people.