MP CM inspects schemes for helping poor to brave cold

Chouhan undertook one such visit at night in state capital Bhopal during which he inspected government-run shelters for the poor.

He interacted with people sleeping on pavements and with inmates living insides these shelters.

Chouhan said: "Due to this intense cold, my government passed an order to provide proper facilities to poor people to save them from biting cold. We also issued notification to provide people staying in government doss houses with comforters and blankets to counter the chill."

Chouhan, a softly spoken and unassuming leader of the centre-right Bharatiya Janata Party, is known for his pro-poor policies in the state.

Chouhan makes frequent public appearances and engages with the masses at public gatherings like farmers meet or labourer's mega councils.

Justifying his surprise inspection, Chouhan said he had just fulfilled his duty by embarking on such a visit.

"It is my duty as a chief minister to collect ground reports so as to ascertain that the orders are being followed. So, I am out on the streets of Bhopal tonight to check the condition of people staying on the pavements, footpaths and government rest rooms," Chouhan added.

In December 2013, Chouhan notched up a thumping election victory in Madhya Pradesh, a sprawling state with a population larger than that of France, becoming its chief minister for a third time.