Raman Singh, a former BJP Union minister and Chhattisgarh’s longest-serving chief minister, recently spoke in an interview about the state’s recent procurement of over 100 lakh metric tonne (LMT) of paddy, which the Congress government is touting as a coup ahead of the Assembly elections later this year. Following are some of the excerpts from his interview:
The Chhattisgarh government’s paddy procurement would shortly exceed 110 LMT. They’re calling it a masterstroke in the run-up to the elections. What are your thoughts?
Singh: In Chhattisgarh, there was no structure for rice procurement, manufacturing, or distribution. We designed the complete chain, including the Public Distribution System (PDS) (the BJP government). When we were in power, we increased our purchases from 5 lakh metric tonnes to 70 lakh metric tonnes. They (Congress) are purchasing more because manufacturing has grown, but we are the ones who built the system. We first purchased the Food Security Act in Chhattisgarh, and it helped not just Chhattisgarh, but the whole country.
However, the Congress administration is also providing farmers with a bonus in the form of input subsidies under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana.
Singh: We used to offer Rs 300 as a bonus as well. There was a two-year hiatus, else we would have started the practice of distributing incentives. It is a fantastic thing that they are purchasing so much paddy, but we began it.
According to the Congress, CM Bhupesh Baghel is immensely popular as a result of the aforementioned and other actions.
Singh: We are now firmly in opposition. The laws and policies are made by the government and (the ruling) party. All of these topics will be addressed in our manifesto.
Is there any public problem or commitment they did not keep that might cause difficulties for Congress before the elections?
Singh: They will lose in terms of progress. All development activity has halted, from road and bridge building to hospital and school construction. Rural residents are dissatisfied as a result. There will be no new roads, schools, or colleges. They are simply refurbishing existing ones. Potholes abound on the roads. They lack cash and have been dormant for the past four years. Corruption extends all the way from the corporator to the collector. They received commissions on coal, cement, and sand – the ED just exposed a large coal levy scheme. What could possibly be greater than this?
There are several promises made by the Congress in its manifesto that they have not kept. They pledged that once in power, they would provide a bonus (on paddy sales) for the two years that we (the BJP administration) were unable to provide. However, four years later, they have still not paid the bonus. They also stated that booze will be prohibited. Instead, the number of stores increased from 700 to 1,400, and booze is now delivered to customers’ homes.
They also offered a monthly payment of Rs 2,500 to 10 lakh unemployed youngsters and forced them to fill out forms. Those jobless teenagers are now asking where their stipend has gone! The same is true for pensions for the aged, disabled, and widows. They had also pledged to regularise contractual staff in writing. When the workers objected, they were lathi-charged, not regularised. People are unsatisfied for a variety of reasons.
What are the odds for the BJP this time around? How many seats are you going to win?
Singh: With over ten months till the Assembly elections, I can’t predict how many seats we’ll gain. But one thing is certain: the BJP will form the Chhattisgarh government with a strong mandate.
Will your son run in the Assembly elections?
Singh: It is up to the party whether I, my son, or anyone else will (receive a ticket to) fight the election.
Will your son remain active in politics?
Singh: Being in politics does not always imply running for office. Whatever obligation the party assigns must be fulfilled. Elections are a component of it.