Will rather die than seek something for myself: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Bhopal, Dec 12: Outgoing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said he will "rather die" than asking something for himself from his party.
He will carry out whatever task the Bharatiya Janata Party gives him, said the four-term chief minister who would soon be replaced by Mohan Yadav following the party's resounding victory in the last month's assembly elections.
"I wanted to say humbly that I would rather die than go (to Delhi) and ask for something for myself, this is not what I do," Chouhan told reporters here to a question.
Last week, amid suspense over who would be the next chief minister, Chouhan had said he would not go to Delhi while claiming that he had never been in the race for the top post in the state.
"When a person is self-centred, he thinks about himself. But the BJP is a mission, there is some work for every worker. I will do whatever work is assigned to me," the 64-year-old leader said on Tuesday.
Expressing contentment over his stint in power, Chouhan further said he was fully confident that the new BJP government under Mohan Yadav's leadership will complete the ongoing works at a rapid pace.
"I will always support them," he added.
The BJP formed a majority government in Madhya Pradesh with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and due to the hard work of party workers as well as the welfare schemes of the state government and Centre, especially the `Ladli Behna' Yojana, he said.
The Ladli Behna Yojana was a flagship scheme of the Chouhan government under which Rs 1,250 are given to the women from financially weaker sections every month.
The state achieved all-round development during the BJP rule, he said, citing improved condition of roads, power supply and agriculture growth among other things.
Women's empowerment and farmers' welfare have never been a means of getting votes for him, Chouhan said.
Meanwhile, a video that surfaced on social media showed a group of women who were visiting the chief minister's residence on Tuesday morning crying in Chouhan's presence.
Mohan Yadav is set to take oath as chief minister on Wednesday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka rolls out climate action plan to tackle global warming: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said that a Karnataka state action plan on climate change has been formulated to mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change, and directions have been issued to ensure its proper implementation.
Speaking after presiding over a seminar on extreme heat and its impact on Bengaluru, organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, he said the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), which comes under the environment department, has taken steps to implement the action plan in coordination with various state government departments.
He said training programmes are being organised in cooperation with zilla panchayat offices for district officials and other related institutions regarding the implementation and progress of the Karnataka state action plan on climate change.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister said such programmes will be conducted in all 31 districts of Karnataka.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s office, in terms of climate resilience, Khandre said a dedicated radio programme, “Havamaana Mitra” (weather friend), was launched in April 2025 to share information on best practices, and 24 programmes have so far been broadcast on Akashvani.
ALSO READ: Passenger held at BLR airport with hydroponic ganja worth Rs 1.28 crore
He said these efforts aim to create public awareness.
Khandre emphasised that due to global warming and climate change, even seasons are changing today.
“Keeping this in mind, after becoming Forest Minister, I have been making every effort to increase green cover, especially in Bengaluru city,” he said.
He noted that during the last three years, about 11 crore saplings have been planted in the state, and information on their survival rate has been made available on the Forest Department website.
According to him, encroachments on about 250 acres of forest land worth around Rs 10,000 crore in several parts of Bengaluru, including Kothanur, Kadugodi, B M Kaval, and Turahalli, have been cleared.
Thousands of saplings have been planted and groves created on the cleared land, thereby preserving lung spaces essential for Bengaluru city.
The minister also recalled that more than 400 acres of forest land in Peenya plantation had earlier been allotted to the central government-owned HMT for industrial purposes.
He said HMT had sold 160 acres of this land, while 280 acres remain, and a decision has been taken to reclaim it for the department to preserve an essential lung space for Bengaluru. A legal battle is underway, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he said 444 acres in the Jarakabande area had been allotted to the Indian Air Force. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, forest land cannot be diverted without due process. Hence, in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner cancelled the land allotment.
“Steps are now being taken to reclaim this forest land and preserve the green space,” he said.
Khandre also highlighted that the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Gantiganahalli, where the international air show is held once every two years in Bengaluru, is on forest land.
He said 159 acres in Gantiganahalli village is classified as a reserved forest area.
“If the Air Force submits a proposal for diversion and provides alternative land, this area may be considered for transfer; otherwise, steps will be taken to reclaim it for the forest department,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force is presently using this area as a runway. However, the RTC and mutation records are in the name of the Forest Department, and the land has not been legally converted. Hence, this forest land will be reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the government has resolved to construct a major biological park on 153 acres at Madappanahalli in Bengaluru North taluk, and cabinet approval has been obtained.
“The CM will lay the foundation stone next month. This will be the largest park after Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. It would not be incorrect to call this an achievement of the century,” he said.
