In a first, Madhya Pradesh govt sets up `Happiness Department`

Madhya Pradesh`s Happiness Department will coordinate among other departments and craft policies in a way to increase the level of happiness among its citizens.

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government on Friday cleared the proposal to set up `Anand` Vibhag (Happiness Department).

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the state government had been thinking about forming `Anand` Department since many days.

"Usually, a state`s prosperity is measured by economic growth, but that alone can`t be a factor to measure people`s satisfaction," Chouhan told media.

"So, the Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to set up `Anand` Department which will be used as a platform initially. Food, clothing, housing, education and health are the basic needs of humans, but there are other needs also which include, positive outlook towards life, the level of satisfaction and support of society during times of crisis," he added.

It is reported that the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has initially allocated a sum of Rs 3.80 crore for setting up Anand Vibhag that will carry out regular research and experiments.

With this move, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to announce such a department, which will coordinate among other departments and craft policies in a way to increase the level of happiness among its citizens.