On July 15, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet announced the creation of a happiness department, the first for any state. It is inspired by Bhutan’s gross national happiness model that has been in existence there since 1972. In an interview with, chief ministerthrows light on the new department, rubbishes the allegations that this is an attempt to divert attention from serious issues and says that in the coming years the “Anand Sansthan” will bring more smiles. Edited excerpts:The idea was inspired by my deep reflection on why despite unprecedented growth in material prosperity and means of comfort, happiness continues to elude us. Can we do anything worthwhile to minimise, if not totally eliminate, the ever growing intolerance, violence, despair, depression. The department of happiness is part of the effort to create an enabling atmosphere for people to live a happy life. The concept of happiness that we aspire to pursue in Madhya Pradesh will be primarily based on time-tested Indian wisdom besides taking into account the indices that determine national growth. The proposed setup of the department comprises a chairman, a chief executive, a director-research, a director-coordination and other supporting staff.The budget is Rs 3.5 crore. The department will coordinate and synergise its endeavour with other concerned departments. It will also collaborate with organisations, institutions and individuals outside the government apparatus engaged in activities of human welfare. An action plan will be evolved after studying the lifestyle, priorities, thinking and requirements of people.There is consensus on some issues, taking into account what other countries and the UN have done while developing indices to assess state of happiness. These include psychological well-being, good health, quality education, cultural diversity and harmony, good governance, natural diversity, living standards, emotional wellness, physical and healthy long life trust , freedom of taking decisions, generosity. The department will seek to develop these parameters. It will assess the state of mind of people on the above parameters and publish a survey report on it.Things are looking up. MP is no longer a BIMARU state [an acronym for states with poor economic conditions], but one of the fastest growing in the country. The per capita food grain production of the state is 318 kg and by virtue of its ever increasing farm production, it is emerging as the new food basket of the country. We lead the country in the production of soybean, pulses, garlic and oilseeds. In wheat, onion, orange and coriander, we stand second. We are third in the production of tomato, muskmelon, sitafal, rose and mustard. The state’s budget has increased by 540% in the last 10 years.Per capita income has now gone up to about Rs 69,000. The per capita power consumption is 759 kW per hour. We are providing 24x7 domestic power and 10-hour supply to farm sector. We have been able to increase power availability by 400% in the last 10 years. The irrigated area has expanded 500% in the last 10 years — from 7.5 lakh hectares to 36 lakh hectares. The state has clocked doubledigit economic growth and its agricultural rate has averaged 20% in the last four years. Literacy rate has gone up to 70.6%. We have successfully implemented health and family welfare schemes.MP is proud to be home to its tribal population. They have a symbiotic relationship with nature, thereby preserving and enriching the latter. It is not correct to say that in MP they are not allowed to live with nature and are pushed to unhappiness due to displacement and distress migration. The state leads in conferring entitlement of forest lands on forest dwellers under the forest Land Right Act. These lease holders are being provided various facilities to help them carry out farming and other economic activities.A lot of work has been undertaken under sub-plans of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee for this purpose. This has gone a long way in ensuring livelihoods to the tribal population in their own villages and habitations. Wherever unavoidable displacement was resorted to for development projects, proper compensation and other facilities have been provided to the oustees. Government in no way intends to deprive the tribals of their lifestyle.Any well-intended initiative is bound to meet with success. Now the entire world is contemplating on ensuring a balanced lifestyle that is a perfect blend of material progress and spiritual elevation. Yoga, meditation, music, devotion and good literature need to be promoted in a more organised way. I am sure that GDP-based development framework and the happiness department will work in perfect harmony. There is no dichotomy between the two.We are already working in this direction. Tree felling for development projects is being being avoided to the maximum possible. In case it is unavoidable, twice the number of trees are planted. We propose a campaign for conservation of the Narmada river, the lifeline of MP, from November 11. The campaign aims at enhancing awareness among people living in villages and habitations along the Narmada, reviving its tributaries as well as plantations along the banks, besides creating an enabling atmosphere for water conservation, pollution control and organic farming with the active participation and cooperation of concerned government departments.Let me tell you that Vyapam irregularities have been blown out of proportion. It is borne out by the fact that out of over 107 lakh candidates who appeared for recruitment and entrance examinations conducted by the Vyapam, irregularities were found in only 1,641 cases. However, irrespective of their number, investigations are on.The achievements of the state over the last decade show that situation at the grassroots level is encouraging and positive. Our endeavour to improve things at all levels will continue.(Vanita Srivastava is a freelance journalist)