Focus on infra, industry, jobs in 2nd yr

With BJP coming to power, there were expectations that it would demolish the bureaucratic control.

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One year on, the general perception is, nothing has changed.

Absolutely not. My cabinet doesn't sign pre-decided proposals. It doesn't end in minutes. We make extensive discussions on proposals, then take a decision.

The bureaucrats were running the government earlier. To bring them out of that mindset, a shake-up was necessitated. Many left on central deputation. Bureaucrats who were ignored and sidelined in the previous dispensation and wanted to work were given responsibilities. We interacted with officers who were good performers but were loyal to the previous government. Gradually, they also changed and realised that a bureaucrat has to work under any government. Besides, this was linked to their CCRs. They are now performing well and have a big role in achieving our target of giving good governance. Implementation of the Subhadra scheme was not an easy job. We could do so because of cooperation from the officers.

After becoming the chief minister, you seem to have made it a priority to keep close contact with the people. You have revived the CM's public grievance cell, are visiting districts almost every other day. Is it a brand-building exercise?

The big objective was to completely eradicate the distance between the Third Floor (CMO) and people. Under the previous government, the Third Floor was turned into a fortress with no one having access, forget the common man. Nobody could enter it. No minister, MP or MLA could meet the chief minister. I have become chief minister from the grassroots. I decided to eradicate this distance and meet common people.