No ministerial status for corporation-board chiefs for now:CM signals shift from VIP culture to organization work

The Madhya Pradesh government and the BJP organization are currently not in favor of granting cabinet or minister of state status to recently appointed heads of corporations, boards, commissions, and authorities. The move comes after criticism over extravagant vehicle rallies organized by some leaders despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for restrained fuel consumption amid the Israel-Iran conflict. The issue gained national attention after a massive vehicle rally led by Textbook Corporation chairman Saubhagya Singh Thakur went viral, prompting the BJP central leadership to seek a report on the matter. At present, only State Finance Commission chairman Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya and Backward Classes Commission chairman Dr. Ramkrishna Kusmaria remain exceptions to the arrangement. CM Mohan Yadav had already indicated the shift Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had hinted at the decision during a training session for chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and members of corporations, boards, commissions, and authorities held at the Good Governance Institute in Bhopal on May 18. Addressing the gathering, the CM said that due to prevailing global circumstances, people had been urged to avoid unnecessary use of vehicles and that “pilot-follow culture” should also be avoided. “Our corporations and boards do not even have such a system. Whether you get a status or not, there is no fixed arrangement. We should build our identity through work,” he had said. Focus on performance, not protocol According to government and BJP organization sources, the leadership believes that ministerial status — along with pilot vehicles, hooters, and VIP protocol — often distracts leaders from their actual responsibilities. During the training session, the chief minister stressed that leaders should focus on improving the performance and revenue generation of their institutions rather than engaging in displays of power and status. Organization to assign work in BJP’s lost seats The BJP organization is planning to assign each chairman and vice-chairman responsibility for an Assembly constituency where the party lost in the previous elections. Strategically, these leaders will likely be deployed outside their home turf or preferred constituencies so that they concentrate on strengthening the party organization rather than preparing for their own electoral ambitions. PM’s fuel-saving appeal triggered concern Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently appealed to citizens to use fuel judiciously due to global uncertainties arising from the Israel-Iran conflict. Despite this, several BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh organized large vehicle convoys and celebratory rallies. The rally led by Saubhagya Singh Thakur became a major embarrassment for the party and drew attention at the national level. Following the controversy and criticism over extravagance and showmanship, the government and party organization have reportedly decided to withhold ministerial status for corporation and board chiefs for the time being. Facilities available with ministerial status If granted cabinet minister status, a corporation or board chairman becomes entitled to facilities similar to those available to elected ministers. These include: Pilot-follow security and VIP privileges One of the most visible symbols of ministerial status is the “pilot-follow” security arrangement, where police vehicles escort the leader’s convoy. Leaders are also allowed to use sirens and receive VIP protocol treatment in districts, including accommodation in government guest houses and the presence of local administrative officials during visits.