"I want to hand over the forests to the people"
What is topmost in your list of priorities?
My government wishes to begin work on several fronts simulta- neously. But naturally, my priority lies in ensuring road connectivity. The interior, tough high altitude terrain should be connected with the other areas.
What are your sources of revenue?
We will need help from the Union government on this. I am going to ask for a special status for Uttaranchal, which will provide us more grants and less loans. But we also have to generate our own revenue. A software technology park will be established in Dehradun. Uttaranchal can earn a lot from developing new technologies and from tourism.
How is your administration going to differ from that of Uttar Pradesh's?
I am all for harnessing traditional and scientific expertise from across the nation. We are going to invite experts from different fields to join us and pave the way for Uttaranchal's development. The traditional way of life has quite a few nuggets of wisdom that can be acquired. My government is seized with the task and will soon work out the modalities and announce it in public.
Is the Forest Conservation Act an impediment?
I want to hand over the forests to the people. My government will work towards giving the forests to the gram panchayats for management. I am against developing sanctuaries that end up displacing people from where they have been living for years. Forest officials are needed to look after the huge forest cover, but their role will be exemplary. I can assure you.
What about the 'contractor raj' that is prevalent in Uttaranchal?
Cooperative societies, and not private contractors, should extract the sand and riverbed gravel. We will also scrutinise the liquor policy. The liquor, mining and timber mafia will be decimated.