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In an exclusive interview with News Arena Network, Himachal Pradesh Governor expresses concern over increasing drug menace in the hill state, calls for involving the PRIs in tackling the drug problem in rural state, sends awareness hoardings for installation at different places

 

Former Union Minister of State for Finance in the Modi government, Shukla, 71, is a seasoned leader with rich experience in state politics as well. 

 

Elected as MLA four times consecutively from Gorakhpur Nagar Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh from 1989 onwards, Shukla held different portfolios as minister in UP, right from Basic Education to Sports, Prisons, Law and Justice and Rural Development. He was one among those jailed for one month in 1990 amid Andolan for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

 

However, it came as a surprise for him when he got a different assignment, in February 2023, as Governor of Himachal Pradesh, a departure from active politics. 

 

Yet he feels that every work is important and one just needs to understand it and act accordingly. 

 

Shiv Pratap Shukla talked to News Arena Network at Himachal Raj Bhawan on various issues in depth.

 

 

How do you find the Governor’s institution? Don’t you miss active politics now?

It is a constitutional post with a lot of responsibility associated with it. I have been involved in politics for the service of society all through. 

 

So I am active in the field even today as per the requirements of my present position. I have been visiting various districts in Himachal to learn about the progress of central and state schemes. I go to the public wherever it is required. I think if I have to address the budget session of the state Assembly on the works of ‘My government’, then I should be moving in the field to get first-hand information rather than making those words just ornamental. 

 

I do feel that the Governor should not interfere with the elected government, but can always advise the government based on field information.

 

What is your impression about Himachal Pradesh and the state government so far?

Himachal Pradesh is known as Dev Bhoomi. The people of Himachal Pradesh are basically like that only.

 

So far as the state government is concerned, neither my, nor the government's behaviour has created any hurdle. I am okay with it.

 

I have to fulfill the constitutional responsibility, and at the same time, apprise the government of the problems of the people. That is why I also visited many places in the state during the natural calamity that hit Himachal Pradesh last year.

 

At some places, I walked for a few kilometres also to reach the tough spots, which surprised even the Chief Minister.

   

You have flagged the issue of drug menace in HP. How serious is this problem according to you?

The drug menace is increasing in Himachal Pradesh. The Dev Bhoomi’s tradition looks broken to an extent in this regard. A cause of concern is that deadly synthetic drugs have made their way into Himachal. 

 

My suggestion to the government and the Panchayati Raj minister is that we need to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state as people in villages don’t come out with the problem openly due to fear of defamation. If we involve Panchayat Pradhans in the rural area, it will help tackle the problem to a great extent. 

 

I have also got some hoardings made to create awareness among people and the youth. These hoardings will be put up outside religious places and educational institutions, including Universities, and other public places like the Ridge in Shimla. 

 

I have exhorted the Vice Chancellors of state Universities to ask the students to fill up a form against drugs at the time of their admission. If anyone is found using drugs later, it would invite punishment. The drug menace can be curbed with collective efforts by the government and society.

  

What kind of intervention is needed in tribal areas of the state? 

On my visit to the tribal areas, I found that these areas lack education and health facilities, which forces the people to go out. 

 

People live in harsh terrain and tough conditions there. The tribal villages, along the international border, need added attention. The Vibrant Villages scheme of the Central government aims at comprehensive development of villages in the border areas. I met the Prime Minister and Home Minister sometime back and urged them that concrete measures should be taken to prevent the migration of locals from border villages. I think if the state government also pays attention to the education and health facilities in border areas of the state, it will retain the local population.

 

Another issue in tribal areas is the demand for nautor land. Based on the applications I got, I have asked the state government to clarify on what basis nautor land is allotted. 

 

I haven’t got the government's reply on this yet.

 

What do you have to say about tourism in Himachal Pradesh?

The tourism sector suffered a great deal in Himachal Pradesh after the Monsoon fury last year. The Chief Minister has admitted that the government will have to focus on tourism as a priority now. 

 

I think the state government can work on religious tourism and update facilities in the temple towns, which are witness to huge numbers of tourists. 

 

The state should send projects to the Centre for a facelift of the temples and temple towns. Like Naina Devi temple is at a height and many people are not able to reach there easily. A ropeway is urgently required. 

 

I have taken it up with the Government of India and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. If there are some hurdles, they should be taken care of. Similarly for Chintpurni temple, the funds sanctioned by the Centre should be properly utilised. 

 

I think just the weekend tourism, which has picked up in Himachal, would not help. We need to retain the people for a longer duration in the state for better returns from tourism.

 

The Congress government in HP has alleged that the Centre gave the cold shoulder to the state in the wake of the worst natural calamity last year, while the Central leaders say the Centre gave funds to the state. What is your take on this?

I base my comment on the government's statement. The Centre gave funds to the state in different heads. The Central teams also visited Himachal Pradesh thrice to evaluate the damage in natural calamities.

 

I don’t want to be a part of the quarrel. I know this much that Himachal Pradesh is a mountain state and 90% of all what is generally spent by the state comes from the Centre. Only 10% is borne by the state. 

 

So I would say that instead of picking up political fights, the state should pay attention towards development and utilise the 90% funding by the Central government properly.

 

The amendment Bill passed by the State Assembly giving ‘Say’ to the state government in the appointment of VCs in HP Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Universities hasn’t got your consent yet. Any specific reason?

 I have sent it to the state government with some queries. The appointment of Vice Chancellors should be as per the norms of the University Grants Commission only. The Search Committee for the VCs is chaired by the Chief Secretary. 

What is left after that? 

 

The Committee sends the panel to me and my decision is based on that. I believe that the VCs of the Agriculture Horticulture & Forestry Universities should be professors from those fields only. 

 

And we should have people with good standing in these positions in the larger interest of the University and the state.

 

 What is your perception about the Ram temple issue?

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s context in this regard may be taken as religious. However, the debate by the Government of India on Ram Janambhoomi was purely based on the cultural form. 

 

The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) survey found proof of the temple in Ayodhya. The Ram Mandir issue was finally accomplished in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision. 

 

It has a cultural angle. Ram’s journey was based on values. The Prime Minister is working to take that cultural essence forward.