Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is extremely critical of the Narendra Modi government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis, from the “aimless lockdown” to providing little assistance to states. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Baghel accuses the Centre of “siphoning away” money from public sector undertakings in the state as donations to the PM CARES fund. He also wonders if the free Covid-19 vaccine announcement in Bihar was a signal that states that do not have an upcoming election would have to pay for it. Excerpts:
Q/ Amid Covid-19 and the economic downturn, how effective has the Congress been as the main opposition party?
A/ The Congress did a commendable job. Our leader Rahul Gandhi had warned the Modi government about Covid-19 in February. Unfortunately, they ignored the warning because of political reasons. When the disease started spreading, the prime minister went in for an aimless lockdown without any notice to citizens. Then too, the Congress leadership had warned that this kind of lockdown would be disastrous. Congress workers helped migrant labourers in all possible manner. In large states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Congress was not in power, our workers did exemplary work to help the people. When the Centre asked migrants to buy train tickets, our leader Sonia Gandhi asked the state units to pay for the tickets.
Q/ It was a time for Congress governments to lead by example. How successful were you in this?
A/ When the prime minister shut down the country without any notice, we, in Chhattisgarh, consulted all stakeholders and decided not to shut down mines, mineral-based industries and crucial businesses. Chhattisgarh is a major contributor of coal and we could not disrupt coal supplies to power plants across the country. In April and May, Chhattisgarh was the biggest steel producing state. During the lockdown, we received several lakh people. A majority of them were just passing through the state. We could arrange food and vehicles for all of them. Labourers who returned to the state were provided jobs through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. At one time, 25 lakh people were given jobs under the scheme, the highest in the country. We gave free food to the poor for three months. Since schools are shut, we have been giving dry ration to children as a substitute for mid-day meals. We continued the purchase of minor forest produce during the lockdown. It is telling that only 26,000 people went back to their home state.
Q/ How are you tackling the rise in Covid-19 cases post unlock?
A/ Our handling of Covid-19 was so successful that when the Centre began the unlock, Chhattisgarh had only three active cases. But when air travel and railways resumed, there was a significant rise in cases.We asked the Centre for extra funds, but it was busy issuing orders and not willing to provide anything other than test kits and PPE kits.
Q/ Your government implemented Nyuntam Aay Yojana. What has been its impact?
A/ Had the Congress been in power at the Centre, NYAY, or cash transfer to the poor, would have been implemented across the country. Since that did not happen, we are implementing NYAY in parts.Rahul Gandhi has emphasised on providing cash to the poor, enabling them to survive the lockdown and unemployment. We launched Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana to give cash to farmers and landless labourers. We are giving Rs10,000 per acre to paddy and maize farmers and Rs13,000 per acre to sugarcane farmers per year. Under Godhan Nyay Yojana, we are purchasing cow dung at Rs2 per kg. There are six lakh beneficiaries in the state and 40 per cent of them are landless labourers and the poorest among the poor. The money then spent by these people has helped businesses. Our GST collection this September was 24 per cent higher than the previous year, and in October it was 26 per cent more.
Q/ You mentioned Rahul Gandhi’s inputs. However, be it Covid-19 or China, the BJP has strongly rebutted him.
A/ Rahul Gandhi is a well-informed, learned and active leader of the opposition. As a responsible leader, he had warned the government about Covid-19, but the government did not listen. Then he asked questions on China, but the government lied and hid facts. Narendra Modi’s indifference to Rahul’s suggestions has cost the country a lot.
Q/ What has been the Centre’s stance when it comes to equipping the state to fight Covid-19?
A/ The Centre did nothing but control everything and issue instructions. Even as we fight Covid-19, the Centre gave the same amount of money it does for disaster management every year. The only help we got was some test kits and PPE kits.The Centre even siphoned away money from PSUs of the state to PM CARES. It issued instructions to PSUs not to spend CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds in the state. This caused a major crisis for us. The BJP government at the Centre has even taken local area development funds of all BJP MPs from the state to PM CARES. The fact of the matter is that the prime minister does not care.
Q/ Have there been any Centre-state discussions on a Covid-19 vaccine strategy?
A/ So far, the Centre has not held any deliberations with us on the Covid-19 vaccine. The only thing we heard was that it would be distributed free in Bihar. Was it a bribe for votes or a warning to all the non-election states that they should be ready to bear the cost of the vaccine?
Q/ How successful have you been in weaning adivasi youth from Maoist influence?
A/ The Maoist problem was being dealt as a law and order issue only. We decided to go to the root of the problem and deal with it as socioeconomic problem, too. We reopened schools that were shut for 15 years. We set up the Junior Grade Recruitment Board in Bastar. We have announced concessions for the local population in police recruitment. When there is any government civil construction work, we have made it compulsory to award it to local contractors only. Earlier, the government procured only 15 minor forest produce. We have expanded it to 23, and the procurement is on minimum support price.
Q/ Your views on the letter written by 23 dissident leaders to Sonia Gandhi.
A/ This issue has been discussed in the party at the appropriate forum. All answers have been given and I don’t think that we need to discuss it further.
Q/ The letter has been described as a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
A/ I don’t think so. I feel the issue has been resolved. It is not relevant anymore.