In a first of its kind, the Madhya Pradesh government on Friday approved a proposal to constitute a Department of Joy, which would work towards making a common man happy.
In a meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, it was also decided that the proposed department would work as a knowledge resource centre on joy.
An Institute of Joy will also be created under the department, official sources said.
The state government studied new parameters set by the United Nations, US and Bhutan in this regard before deciding to set up such a department, they added.
The Department of Joy will study and identify new parameters of joy and well-being. It will also help spreading happiness among various departments of the state government, and prepare guidelines in this direction, said the sources.
The new department will also prepare an action plan for the feeling of joy and will study mental state of the common people.
The proposed department has a budget of Rs 6,08,000 to start with.
--IANS
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