- Vibrant Gujarat initiative significantly boosted state's economic growth.
- Jyotigram Yojna ensured 24-hour power to Gujarat villages.
- Sujalam Sufalam scheme effectively addressed chronic water scarcity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday completed 25 years in public service. The BJP is celebrating the day with a Seva Jyoti event in New Delhi. For the last 25 years, Modi has served as head of the government both at the state and the Centre. His public service started on October 7, 2001, when he took the oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
He had emerged as the top executive post in the state after the BJP decided to change the state leadership. His strong organisational command helped him to reach the post in the wake of mounting criticism of the Keshubhai Patel government over the 2001 Bhuj earthquake.
His term was soon marred by the Godhra incident controversies and allegations over subsequent riots in 2002. However, he took a series of measures to address key concerns of the state to position himself as a visionary and pro-development CM, which ultimately acted as a stepping stone for his bid to the prime minister's office in Delhi.
Vibrant Gujarat and single-window business approval
In 2003, Modi launched Vibrant Gujarat to attract investments in the state. To expedite the process of setting up industries, he approved a single-window business approval system.
The push for ease of doing business accelerated Gujarat's economic growth from an averageof 6.45per cent to over 10 per cent between 2004-05 and 2011-12. Meanwhile, the overall industrial output shot up by 15 times.
Jyotigram Yojna
The flagship rural electrification scheme launched in 2006 separated domestic and non-farming power feeders from agriculture feeders. The scheme paved the way for a 24-hour, 3-phase power supply to villages.
Farmers received a reliable 8-hour power supply per day for irrigation through dedicated lines. The scheme benefitted 18,000 villages, giving a boost to the rural economy of the state.
Eliminating drought and water scarcity
Gujarat had faced chronic water scarcity and drought, especially in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat regions. Through the Sujalam Sufalam scheme, the Gujarat government carried surplus floodwater through a 332 km canal to 508 villages.
The scheme aimed to consider water as an integrated system. Check dams, farm ponds, recharge wells, canals and inter-basin transfers were built. According to a report by CAG, the groundwater recharge levels were roughly 50% higher than in 2002.
Rapid relocation of TATA Nano plant
Modi's focus on industrial growth was well known. His administration continuously chased opportunities to bring more investments to generate economic growth, increase per capita income and employment in the state. This again resonated in 2008 when he grabbed the opportunity from a political firestorm thousands of kilometres away in Bengal.
After intense political protests and land disputes, Tata Motors planned to move out its Nano car manufacturing unit. The offer came from Gujarat and within two years, the plant was operational.
Electoral micro-management and direct public communication
Apart from showcasing his administrative capabilities, Modi continued to work on organisational strength to maintain the party's ground connect.
Between 2007 and 2012, Modi developed a micro-management plan by introducing the concept of Panna Pramukh (Page in-charge). Each party volunteer was assigned around 30-40 voters or 8-10 households. During the period, thorough audits of economic demographics, caste, and class were decentralised to the constituency level from traditional state-level generalisation.