INTERVIEW
All-Round
Development my Aim : Tiwari
For
the first Congress Chief Minister of the newly-formed Uttaranchal,
laying the foundations of a viable development is a mission.
The veteran leader who had been Chief Minister of U.P thrice
is engaged in formulating developmental strategies keeping
in view the abundant natural resources of his State and
its hilly character. In an interview to Congress Sandesh,
he delienated his approach. Excerpts :
Ques
: You are a seasoned politician, who has thrice been chief
minister of U.P, you have adorned high offices at the Centre.
Isn't it an appreciable step to make you the chief minister
of Uttaranchal? How do you feel, now to be chief minister
of this state?
Ans
: Soniaji has made a promise to the electorate in which
she committed to the development of this state, by giving
the reins of power in Uttaranchal to a person originating
from the same region. She has fulfilled her promise. This
gives a good feeling. Although, I have served the people
of this region as the chief minister of U.P, but the region
to which I belong and which I represent in Parliament, is
now a separate state. It really is a new and happy feeling
to discharge my duties as chief minister of Uttaranchal.
Ques
: What led to appoint you as the chief minister of Uttaranchal?
Ans
: Being an old Congress sipahi, Soniaji has instructed
me and I happily followed the directions of the party president
to take this responsibility. I will move forward with the
co-operation of all my fellow MLAs. We have full co-operation
of our party MLA's in the proper functioning of the government.
Ques
: What lessons are to be learnt from Congress' majority
and BJP's dismal defeat?
Ans
: Congress got absolute majority. It has belied all
predictions and forecasts. Congress party's unprecedented
performance stocked 36 seats while BJP was cornered with
19 seats only. Stalwarts including Swamy, Nishank, Phonia,
Ambrish, Barthwal, lost the elections. We can say with the
victory of Congress, BJP was reduced to half and S.P was
swept off. Administrative incapacity, red-tapism, especially
of government servants and teachers and unemployment caused
people's displeasure with the working of the BJP government.
Our government will make all efforts to fulfill people's
expectations.
Ques
: What will be your strategy towards opposition?
Ans
: Congress expects friendly relations with all opposition
parties including BJP. Co-operation from all quarters will
take this newly-formed state on the path of development.
A healthy opposition is necessary to steer the government
skillfully. I hope that the opposition will justify its
role in the Assembly, with a positive and creative approach
and co-operate in the business of the Assembly.
Ques
: What will be your priorities and policies to develop Uttaranchal
as dreamt by martyrs?
Ans
: Those martyrs who laid down their lives for a separate
Uttaranchal state will always be remembered. Buildings,
roads and playgrounds will be named after them.
The
greatest hurdle in the way of development of Uttaranchal
is its uneven geographical terrain. Although our's is a
new state, it contains adequate possibilities of natural
development. It is important to exploit its abundant natural
resources. Education, employment and health facilities will
be provided to all. Apart from this, our party will fulfill
all those promises made to its electorate in its manifesto.
Tenth Plan will be finalised for Uttaranchal and it will
be our effort that future plans and policies are made keeping
in view the mountaineous nature of the terrain.
Responsibility
and cleanliness will be maintained in the government and
administration. With this aim, my government will make effective
arrangement for Lokpal and Lokayukta within six months.
The government services will be provided at the door-steps
for the people, so that they need not make rounds of the
offices for petty jobs.
Ques
: The youth of this region are going out of the state, what
are your action plans in this regard?
Ans
: There has been absence of consolidated employment
policies. Centre-point of policies of my government will
be generating maximum employment and income. Vacancies in
government services will be filled up immediately and local
talent and people will be included in it. Every effort will
be made to stop the exodus of educated unemployed. Technical
and professional education will be encouraged keeping in
view the economic capabilities. Our aim is to create government,
non-government and self-employment opportunities for around
two lakhs unemployed youth within the next two years.
Ques
: Are water resources in the state being utilised properly?
Ans
: There are ample possibilities of power-projects in
the state. Annually 800 megawatt of power production is
targetted in the next five years. Our aim is to electrify
every village by 2007. Now 3000 villages are not having
electricity, out of which 650 villages cannot be connected
with the grid. Electricity will be supplied to them by other
sources. Within 3 months round the clock power supply will
be ensured in the state. Infrastructure for drinking water
will be in place within 3 months as also irrigation and
water policy.
Ques
: How industrial development will be shaped?
Ans
: Industrial finance and development corporation will
be established within 3 months. Raw material, agriculture
and industrial products and local handicraft industry, software
technology parks based on electronic and information technology
will be established. Priority will be given to agriculture,
herbal, floral and fruit cultivation and their maintenance.
Ques
: What kind of help do you expect from the Centre?
Ans
: Although this state was accorded special status, but
award of a special package remained elusive. Fiscal deficit
has to be levelled to put the work on track. The Rs. 2 billion
finance help of the Centre is not enough. We hope Centre
will abide by its promise of all sorts of assistance.
Ques
: Would you like to give any message to your colleagues
and the people?
Ans
: First of all, I congratulate all my colleagues and
friends. The party has entrusted me with this important
responsibility, therefore, I hope I will live upto its expectations.
I will make all efforts to discharge my duties competently,
which are entrusted by the verdict of the people of this
state, and on Soniaji's directives. It is necessary to get
support from members of my party MLAs and the people.
-
Suman Shikha
