IN AUGUST 2016, when Vijay Rupani was selected to succeed Anandiben Patel as Gujarat chief minister, it was attributed to his closeness to BJP national president Amit Shah. There were rumours that Rupani would hold the post only till Shah decides to return to Gujarat.
Since taking charge, Rupani had to face challenges like the pro-quota Patel agitation (started in late 2015 and led by Hardik Patel), and floods in north Gujarat. But, the most important challenge was the 2017 assembly elections.
Eventually, the BJP won the majority and Rupani was elected chief minister for another term. In an interview with THE WEEK, Rupani speaks about the achievements of his government, rumours about his ‘resignation’ and the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Edited excerpts:
What is the major achievement of your government?
As part of the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan water conservation drive 13,000 ponds were deepened. We cleaned [irrigation] canals totalling a length of 5,000 km, and 32 rivers were recharged. The target was to increase water storage capacity by 11,000 lakh cubic feet, and we achieved 13,000 lakh cubic feet.
The programme was carried out with people’s support. The state government bore half the expenses and the other half was contributed by the people. More than 2,500 NGOs participated. Over 2.75 lakh people were given employment under MGNREGA.
Previous governments also have done this.
No. It has never happened on a mass scale. During Keshubhai Patel’s tenure as chief minister, 1.5 lakh check dams were made. Thereafter, it continued in a piecemeal mode. It was not taken up on a mass scale.
What are the changes you want to bring in the administration?
First is the maximum use of modern technology to provide speedy and transparent administration. Earlier, to get approval for a building plan people had to go many times [to government offices], and had to give bribes. Now, all this has become online and transparent. We have changed the system.
Are you suggesting that these steps were not there during the tenures of Keshubhai Patel and Narendra Modi?
Denne historien er fra August 05, 2018-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 05, 2018-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
