New Delhi: In a move signaling the rising national stature of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted him with a crucial role at the Centre. Chouhan has been appointed to lead a high-level monitoring group tasked with overseeing the progress of various government schemes and tracking the implementation of key announcements made in the Union Budget 2024.
Chouhan, who also holds the positions of Union Agriculture Minister and Union Minister of Rural Development, will now be at the forefront of ensuring that the Modi government’s ambitious plans and policies are executed efficiently across the country. The monitoring group he chairs includes senior government officials and secretaries from multiple ministries, underlining the importance of this new role. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, serves as Chouhan’s deputy in this effort.
The newly reconstituted group held its first meeting on October 4 in the South Block, where the agenda focused on implementing the announcements made in the latest Union Budget. The group’s five key mandates include tracking the Prime Minister’s announcements since 2014, reviewing projects where foundation stones were laid by the PM, ensuring timely implementation of Budget promises, framing rules for newly enacted laws, and monitoring large-scale infrastructure projects across the nation.
Chouhan’s extensive administrative experience, having served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for an impressive 16 years, makes him well-equipped for this central role. His tenure in Madhya Pradesh was marked by transformative initiatives in the agricultural sector, particularly in irrigation development, which played a pivotal role in the BJP’s repeated electoral victories in the state. One of his signature achievements was the rollout of the ‘Ladli Behan Yojana,’ a popular welfare scheme launched ahead of the 2023 state elections that significantly contributed to the BJP’s win.
Now at the Centre, Chouhan is expected to bring the same level of dedication and effectiveness to his national responsibilities. His role as the chair of the monitoring group requires him to convene monthly meetings to review the progress of various schemes and projects, including the ambitious infrastructure initiatives championed by the Modi government. These meetings will ensure that rules and regulations are promptly framed for the laws passed during this administration and that the government’s vision for a new India is translated into action.
Chouhan is also part of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, further cementing his influence at the national level. His leadership in this monitoring group will play a vital role in accelerating the implementation of the Modi government’s development agenda, ensuring that the promises made to the people are delivered on time. The Prime Minister’s Office, through its Monitoring and Coordination Cell, will continue to track the progress of these efforts, with Chouhan playing a key role in driving the nation’s governance goals forward.
