The victory of BJP in Vikas Nagar by-election has proved that people of Uttarakhand are happy with the functioning of new Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”. There was a close contest in Vikas Nagar where Congress heavyweight and former Minister Navprabhat was contesting against BJP nominee Kuldeep Singh. But the BJP won this seat with a margin of over 2200 votes. Dr Nishank took over as Chief Minister of the state at the time when BJP had lost all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state and the workers were feeling demoralised. Organiser representative Ravindra Saini spoke to him in Dehradun. Excerpts:
How do you see the victory of BJP in Vikas Nagar by-election?
It is the victory of the policies and vision of the BJP towards the development of Uttarakhand. It has proved that people are satisfied with the functioning of the BJP government in the state and they have stamped the working of the government. The credit of this victory goes to our state party leaders and workers who worked tirelessly for achieving this success. I can assure that we shall not let down the people who have posed this trust in us.
How have you planned to fulfill the aspirations of the people?
I want to develop Uttarakhand into a model state of the country, something Shri Khanduriji had worked for. I am trying to solve the problems of water and electricity, the most important concern for the people. I have instructed the officials to take necessary measures to ensure respite from power cuts and water problems at the earliest. I have asked the officials to improve their work practices and give details of their work. They have been instructed to increase electricity production. I have brought about a new culture to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
I have directed senior officials in the Secretariat and in the districts to go on frequent tours to interior and remote areas in order to listen to the problems of residents and address them on the spot. Officials should address grievances of the public and inform them about various schemes of the government. Instead of travelling to the capital, it is better that problems faced by the people are resolved near their homes. About Rs 828 crore-deficit budget was put up and no tax was imposed on the public. Items of daily need were kept tax free, commercial tax on flour, Maida, Suji and Besan was abolished. The exemption limit on tax has been doubled on the purchase of property by women and maternity leave has been increased to 180 days, which was 135 days earlier. This is mere a beginning to fulfill the aspirations of the people, a lot has to be done in future.
The image of BJP appears to be declining in the eyes of people due to the reports of infightings. How would you improve it?
There is no infighting in the BJP. I strongly feel that there is no rift in the party and all are working for development and strengthening the party. The party is absolutely united. You have seen how all BJP workers and leaders worked days and nights during the Vikas Nagar by-election. All former Chief Ministers-Shri Nityanand Swami, Shri BS Koshyari and Shri BC Khanduri-contributed to this victory.
Will the decisions taken by the previous government continue?
This is the BJP government. I will continue all the good initiatives taken by Shri BC Khanduri. Shri Khanduri is a very senior and experienced leader in our party. He is praised for his policies and commitment towards the hill state. I am grateful to him for expressing trust in me. He has provided guidance to me. I will try to fulfill the dreams of the previous government. I will try to develop Uttarakhand into an ideal state in India.
It is said that the negligence of party workers was the main cause of BJP’s defeat in Lok Sabha elections?
No, certainly not. There might be some kind of communication gap but party workers never felt ignored or neglected. All party workers and leaders can meet me easily without any difficulty. I try my best to solve all their problems at the earliest. They seem to go satisfied. After the Lok Sabha election, BJP won all the two by-elections in the state. This shows the enthusiasm of the party workers.
What are you doing to make the bureaucracy and government machinery more accountable to the people?
I have made it clear that corruption and corrupt do not deserve any place in Uttarakhand. I have taken some hard steps to change the work culture. I have shown this by restoring electricity and water supply within 24 hours after assuming office. I succeeded a lot in bringing the bureaucracy on the right track and making them more accountable to the public. I have directed to ensure speedy implementation of the development projects and took into the problems of the people on priority basis.
How do you plan to minimise the migration of youth in towns?
A concrete work plan has been chalked out, aimed at minimising the migration of youth. Effective steps are being taken with a view to providing employment and medical facilities to them living in remote areas. Medical education is being provided in Srinagar Medical College at a minimise annual fee of Rs. 15,000, which is lowest in the country. Construction of a medical college in Almora is in progress and another medical college will be set up in Dehradun. Creation of job avenues for every unemployed youth is the top priority of the government and efforts are also being made to provide employment-oriented education and vocational training to youth.
How would you maintain co-ordination between the government and the party workers?
It is one of the top priorities. The government is working in tuning with the party. I am confident that we will be able to play a key role in improving the coordination between the government and the party. Proper dialogue is being maintained.
You said to milk the hydropower potential of Uttarakhand. But the saints and VHP have been opposing it. How would you materialise these projects?
The Ganga has a special place in the hearts and minds of all Indians. Their emotional link to the Ganga and their respect to it should be kept in mind. We also want free flow of the Ganga water and its purity. The Ganga is not only a river but it is also our Mata. It is a source of inspiration to us. But I do not take it wrong to utilise its water for the development of the state and fulfilling the power needs of the people. We will sit together with the saints and VHP leaders and an amicable solution will be found. Their suggestion will be fully respected.
The emergency mobile medical van developed good feeling about the government. What such other projects are in the pipeline?
This is a great achievement of the government. EMRI-108 is providing valuable services through its 90 ambulances across all 13 districts in the state. It has served 37,207 emergency patients. It served 11,821 pregnant women, delivered healthy babies by moving them in time to the hospital. It has served over 63,00 victims of road accidents. About 700 children were born in those ambulances. More 108 ambulances will be running in the state shortly. The state government will launch its mobile clinic service soon. Each van costs crores of rupees with facilities such as X-ray, ultrasound machine, ECG, etc. These would be connected with the AIIMS via satellite. These would reach each and every remote village, providing medical expertise from AIIMS without going to big cities. The government is going to launch Devbhoomi Muskan Yojna in the state. Under this plan, a child belonging to a very poor family would be able to receive education in higher educational institutions at the expense of the government.
There are reports of Chinese infiltration in Uttarakhand. What do you say?
I have sought the formation of “Hill Security Force” in the meeting on “Internal Security” presided over by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Uttarakhand has 350 km. border with Tibet (China) and 275 km border with Nepal. I have told the Prime Minister that top priority should be given to Uttarakhand under the border area development programme.
What major steps will you take to promote tourism in the state?
Sincere efforts have not been made yet in this field, but I believe that Uttarakhand has the treasure of unmatched beauty, waterfalls, fountains, ponds and pasturelands, which are visited by tourists from India and abroad in large number every year. The government will bring to light the tourist places, which are not frequently visited by the tourists. Dayara Bugyal will be developed into a winter tourist place like Auli. The guesthouses situated at halting places of Char Dham Yatra will also be made fully equipped with modern facilities and resources. Making the disaster management system fast moving is also my priority, which will help in promoting tourism.
