CM's talks exclusively to The Tribune as his govt completes two years on Dec 27

Hdng— “I feel more settled to gear up party for 2022 polls: Jai Ram Thakur

Strap– Sets eyes on ensuring repeat of regime in the 2022 polls; says Cabinet expansion anytime after Dec 27

Quote

Confidence

“Having proved to everyone, including those within the party who had doubts about my leadership that I can lead the party singlehandedly, I will now focus on ensuring the repeat of my regime. Both politically and administratively, I feel far more settled to be able to focus on gearing up the party for the 2022 assembly polls”.

While planning the investors’ meet, we had weighed the pros and cons and had anticipated criticism. In fact, the Congress has no moral right to criticise as their own efforts to rope in the industry had failed completely and the roadshows proved to be mere wastage of precious public funds. Thousands of crores were wasted on creating industrial estates. In fact Rs 12 crore were given by the Centre for the Investors Meet. Himachal has major locational disadvantage and poor connectivity which discourage investors but we are keen to promote tourism, industry, mining power sectors.

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 22

There is a marked difference in his demeanour and gain in confidence with which Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur now functions as his regime completes two years in office this week. The new-found confidence stems from the spectacular win that the BJP registered in the Lok Sabha and assembly by-polls under his leadership.

With Thakur almost single handedly shouldering the responsibility of party campaign even his detractors cannot deny him the credit. “Though all the senior leaders campaigned, it was largely left to me to seek votes and I feel the people have put their stamp of approval on the state government’s functioning by handing a thumping majority to the party”, he says affirmatively.

The vote share of 70 per cent that the BJP polled in Himachal was the highest in the country as the Congress failed to get lead even in a single assembly segment. It is not without reason that he has now set his eyes on creating history by ensuring repeat of his regime in the 2022 assembly polls.

In an interview with The Tribune, the Chief Minister was forthcoming answering a variety of questions. The excerpts:

Q. When you look back, how do you feel about the two-year rule of your government?

A. I get immense satisfaction when I look back as the first year was utilized for setting milestones and targets while in the second year we have succeeded in bringing these initiatives on ground. The results of the Lok Sabha polls and by-polls are a testimony of the faith people have expressed in my government and HP’s performance in every sector has been lauded at the national level.

Q. What is the milestone that you have set for your government?

A. Having proved to everyone, including those within the party who had doubts about my leadership that I can lead the party singlehandedly, I will now focus on ensuring the repeat of my regime. Both politically and administratively, I feel far more settled to be able to focus on gearing up the party for the 2022 assembly polls.

Q. Poor financial health of the state remains a cause for worry and with Centre too not providing any grant how do you intend generating resources?

A. It is for this very reason that we planned the Global Investors Meet and succeeded in attracting investors in a big way. With participation from 11 Ambassadors and representatives of 36 countries, 703 MoUs worth Rs 96,000 crore were signed. These will generate 1.96 lakh jobs. In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address said he did not expect Himachal to hold such a mega event. Now on December 27, we will have ground breaking for Rs 10,000 crore MoUs within a record time of one-and-a-half months. As far as Centre is concerned, the Prime Minister is very clear on not giving any grants but money would be provided for schemes and projects.

Q. Your detractors say that you are buckling under pressure from senior leaders like JP Nadda, Shanta Kumar and PK Dhumal and you are compelled to keep them in good humour. The delay in Cabinet expansion, they say, is also because of this.

A. These are mere perceptions. I have now proved beyond doubt that I can efficiently manage the party and the government. I have got cooperation and guidance from all the senior leaders. The people are happy with governance. I have already apprised the high command of the Cabinet induction which has been delayed because of Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls and it can take place anytime after December 27.

Q. How do you look at the criticism when the Congress said that the Investors Meet was a big scam which will fail to yield the desired results?

A. While planning the meet, we had weighed the pros and cons and had anticipated criticism. In fact, the Congress has no moral right to criticise as their own efforts to rope in the industry had failed completely and the roadshows proved to be mere wastage of precious public funds. Thousands of crores were wasted on creating industrial estates. In fact Rs 12 core were given by the Centre for the Investors Meet. Himachal has major locational disadvantage and poor connectivity which discourage investors but we are keen to promote tourism, industry, mining power sectors.

Q: What are the main achievements of your government in its second year of rule?

A: Himachal is the first state in the country to attain saturation point by having 100 per cent LPG connection coverage of every household. It is under the Grahini Suvidha Yojna of the state government that 2.62 lakh gas connections have been given to people. In the Jan Manch programme launched by the state government , 4,3271 grievances have been received out of which over 88 per cent have been redressed. The Mukhya Mantri Sewa Sankalp helpline has proved a boon to the people for speedy redress of their grievances. Till now 43,000 people have been provided financial assistance of Rs 42.35 crores under Himcare health scheme. The enhancement of age limit from 70 to 80 years has benefitted over 1.30 lakh senior citizens and now this facility was benefiting about 4.57 lakh persons.

Q. To what extent does the RSS has a say in your regime as it is felt that their word is ultimate?

A. The RSS certainly has a role whether it is at the Centre or in Himachal but they only give suggestions and what is good for the state or people we accept. It is wrong to say that RSS is running the show.