What has Shivraj Singh Chouhan achieved by hosting Narmada Seva Yatra?
The five-month long Narmada Seva Yatra — CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s first major mass contact programme in the run up to the 2018 elections — came to an end on May 15 at Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada and the town where it began on December 11, 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the concluding ceremony of the yatra, providing the much-needed validation for the event in BJP circles.
The yatra began on the south bank of the Narmada moving westwards till Alirajpur district and after crossing over, moved eastwards along the north bank till it concluded after almost 150 days. What has Chouhan gained through the yatra?
It is early to say anything but the yatra travelled 3,350km, through 16 districts, and 1,100 villages in 70 Assembly constituencies where the CM addressed more than 50 public meetings.
The state government has moved liquor shops at a minimum distance of 5km from the banks of the river, announced sewage treatment plants in towns on the banks of the river, crematoriums and plans to plant six crore saplings on July 2 along the banks of the river with public participation.
Farmers who plant fruit-bearing trees will be given subsidy and the CM even announced that thermal power plants would be slowly phased out.
The Narmada has held an emotional bond with people living alongside it. Chouhan, being one such person, is aware of this emotional appeal. The river also has economic importance and dams on the river presently irrigate about 17 lakh hectares of land. Another 12 lakh hectares to this potential will be added soon.
The river is also a drinking water source. The permanent yatris — a mix of seers, environmentalists and lay people, ranging between 50 and 100 in number, walk or travel by vehicle along designated routes speaking to people on the way.
The CM joined the yatra at least two days a week. He also roped in the who’s-who of the spiritual and political world, including the Dalai Lama, Shankaracharyas, the PM, Amit Shah, Union ministers, actors and musicians.
The principal Opposition party, the Congress, has been targeting the yatra ever since it began in December. Its attack was centred around allegations of illegal mining, accusing members of the CM’s extended family being involved. Towards the end, the Congress accused Chouhan of squandering public money for gaining political points.
The PM, while lauding the CM’s efforts, said that the roadmap prepared by the MP government for river conservation be adopted by other states as well.
(Courtesy of Mail Today.)