PM Modi's demonetisation move risky but brave, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who completed 11 years in office on Tuesday, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to demonetise the Rs 500/1000 notes a "risky" but "brave" decision.

"Wherever I went I saw people supporting it. Such strong decision can be taken only by a leader who is determined and has the strength to strike positive change.

"It was a risky but a very brave decision by the Prime Minister against corruption, fake currency and black money," he said to News Nation channel. Chouhan said those protesting against the decision were doing it for "no reasons and just for the sake of opposing it".

Watch:  11 years of Shivraj Singh Chouhan Govt in MP; CM advocates for cashless economy and demonetisation

"People have stood strongly behind this decision taken by the Prime Minister to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes," he said. The chief minister said the central Indian state has initiated various schemes for creating entrepreneurs and business achievers.

"I want entrepreneurs to come out from Madhya Pradesh and for which special schemes have been tailored by the state government. Venture funds have been created for supporting innovative business ideas in the state," he said.                

Speaking about women empowerment and providing opportunities to girls, Chouhan said his government has taken a number of steps in this regard.

"I had seen girls not being treated at par with the boys as they were always considered as economic burden. So, when I came, I decided to check such social discrepancies and took the decision to run welfare schemes for them.

"At a place where girls are not safe, one cannot talk about progress," he said recounting schemes like 'Ladli Laxmi Yojna' and 'Beti Bachao Yojna' among others started by Madhya Pradesh government.

Talking about his personal life, the CM advised professionals to take out time for their families from their busy schedule. "I take out time at least twice in a year to move out with my family and at least once in two months to go out to a restaurant for having food with my family.

"This keeps the family ties strong and acts as a mechanism to strike a positive chord between the family and the professional life and gives you the required strength to work for the people," he said.