‘Politics may be seasonal, but development must be permanent. That is the mission I stand for.’
NEW DELHI: In an exclusive conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav spoke about his vision for the state’s economic transformation after the completion of the Global Investors Summit 2025. Edited excerpts.
Q: Investment summits often yield big numbers, but the big question in everyone’s mind is how many of these MOUs will actually materialise into projects.
A: The credibility of any investment summit is not just in signing MOUs, but in converting those into actual projects on the ground. For GIS 2025, we have created a dedicated Investment Implementation Cell, directly monitored by the Chief Minister’s Office, to track every MOU from commitment to execution.
Each investment agreement follows a structured roadmap—covering land allocation, clearances, and policy-backed facilitation—to ensure high conversion rates. Several projects, especially in renewable energy, logistics, IT, and manufacturing, have already moved into the execution stage. Madhya Pradesh is not just talking about investment potential; we are demonstrating investment realization.
Q: States like Gujarat and Maharashtra dominate FDI. What specific policy innovations make MP a more attractive investment destination?
A: Gujarat and Maharashtra have established themselves as investment magnets, but the future belongs to states that offer cost efficiency, faster clearances, and future-ready infrastructure—and that’s exactly what Madhya Pradesh delivers. We have India’s largest pre-cleared land bank, affordable industrial power tariffs, and innovative policies like the Plug & Play Infrastructure Model. Our Single Window, Single Table Clearance—monitored directly by the Chief Secretary—cuts bureaucratic delays by 80%.
We are also leading in EV manufacturing incentives and green hydrogen policies, attracting investments ahead of market saturation in other states. Investors are looking at future-readiness, and Madhya Pradesh is offering that future.
Q: Investors cite logistics, power reliability, and urban infrastructure as concerns. What immediate steps is the government taking to address these gaps?
A: Madhya Pradesh is turning its central location into a logistics advantage. Our integration with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has reduced transit times by almost 50%, while five new multimodal logistics hubs in Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Satna are boosting supply chain efficiency. On power, MP is already power-surplus, offering reliable, low-cost electricity. Plus, with Rs 1.7 lakh crore worth of renewable energy investments, we are building a stable, green energy grid for future industries.
Urban infrastructure is equally crucial—we’ve allocated Rs 40,000 crore for smart city upgrades, expanding industrial townships, housing, and transport facilities. This ensures that global-standard living and working conditions are available to investors and their workforce.
Q: MP has strengths in agriculture and textiles, but what’s the roadmap for attracting high-growth sectors like IT, EV manufacturing, or green energy?
A: Madhya Pradesh is evolving from a traditional economy to a knowledge-driven hub. Indore and Bhopal are being developed into IT and data centre hubs for central India, and GIS 2025 has already secured $500 million in IT infrastructure investments, including AI research centres and software parks.
Our dedicated EV Cluster Policy offers capital subsidies, land rebates, and fast-track approvals. Indore and Jabalpur are emerging as battery manufacturing and assembly hubs. We are also leveraging our leadership in renewable energy, hosting India’s largest floating solar plant, and securing massive investments in green hydrogen. By 2030, MP will be known as a hub for AI, EVs, and clean energy, not just agriculture and textiles.
Q: How many direct and indirect jobs are expected from these investments, and what measures ensure local talent benefits instead of firms importing their own workforce?
A: Job creation is the core focus of GIS 2025. We expect to generate over 21 lakh jobs—with 8 lakh direct and 13 lakh indirect jobs across manufacturing, IT, logistics, and renewable energy sectors. To ensure local youth benefit first, we have introduced a Local Talent Priority Policy, requiring companies to hire a defined percentage from within MP. We have also built Skill Development Hubs in Indore, Bhopal, and Gwalior to provide sector-specific training, ensuring a ready talent pool for industries right here in the state.
Q: Since assuming office, what has been your biggest challenge—managing internal party expectations, delivering on governance promises, or countering the opposition’s narrative?
A: For me, governance is about execution, not politics. My biggest focus has been to deliver results at speed—whether it’s infrastructure, investment, or job creation.
GIS 2025 wasn’t just an event—it was a credibility test for Madhya Pradesh. Our record-breaking investment figures, policy innovations, and actual project rollouts speak louder than any political debate. The Opposition will always have its say, but our performance is our answer. Politics may be seasonal, but development must be permanent. That is the mission I stand for.