Demonetisation a risky, but very brave decision by PM Modi, says Shivraj Chouhan

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s decision to demonetise the Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes on November 8 this year was a risky but very brave one that would benefit the citizens of the country in the long term.

Interacting with the public through an exclusive talk show on the television channel News Nation on the occasion of him completing 11 consecutive years in office, Chouhan said those protesting against this decision were doing it for no reason.

"People have stood strongly behind this decision taken by the Prime Minister to demonetise the 500 and 1000 currency notes. Whereever I went, I saw people supporting it," he added.

"Such a strong decision can be taken only by a leader who is determined and has the strength to strike positive change. It was a risky, but a very brave decision by the Prime Minister against corruption, fake currency and black money," he said.

Speaking at length about his personal and political life, he talked about how he managed to strike a balance between his family and his professional life.

"As an active political figure and also as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, I had to be out for days together and am thankful that I have all support from my wife and the family," he said.

He said "I take out time at least twice in a year to move out with my family and at least once in two months do go out to a restaurant for having food with my family."

"This keeps the family ties strong and acts as a mechanism to strike a positive chord between the family and the profession life and gives you the required strength to work for the people," he added.

Speaking about some of the welfare schemes launched in Madhya pradesh, he said, "I want entrepreneurs to come out from Madhya Pradesh and for which special schemes have been tailored by the state government."

Venture funds have been created for supporting innovative business ideas in the state, he said.

He also said that he was a religious person.

"I am a devout Hindu but I equally respect all other religions as every religion talks about and teaches how to strengthen human values," he said.

Chouhan, who is popularly referred to as ` Mama` in the state, said, " I was moved by the plight of the girls and women since my early days and had then itself thought of bringing in the required changes. I had seen girls not being treated at par with the boys as they were always considered as economic burden. So, when came I decided to check such social discrepancies and took the decision to run welfare schemes for them," he said.

"Where girls are not safe, one cannot talk about progress," he said, and hence we started the "Ladli Yojna", the " Beti Bachao Yojna " among others," he added.

He also spoke at length about his early days and what made him enter into politics, and also how he was convinced to get married and to lead a family life.

He said he spent the early days in a village on the banks of Narmada and fought for the welfare of farmers, workers and women.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister took questions on various issues, ranging from demonetisation, political situation, welfare schemes which are being run by Madhya Pradesh Government for the safety and empowerment of the Girls and Women and also for the employment generation and skill development.