THE STATES

'The primary issue is maintaining amity'

Interview with Surjit Singh Barnala.

As the Governor of Uttaranchal, the role Surjit Singh Barnala is required to perform is different from that of his counterparts in other States. His appointment is considered an overt political step, aimed at mollifying the people of Udham Singh N agar district, which is dominated by the community of Sikh farmers.

By all indications, Barnala would be more an "executive Governor" than an ornamental head. Venkitesh Ramakrishnan met the veteran Sikh leader on his first day in office for an interview. Excerpts:

PRAVEEN KUMAR

As the first Governor of Uttaranchal, what do you think are your responsibilities, and what are your priorities?

This is a very challenging situation. A new State has come up and there will be teething problems. This requires bold and systematic leadership. I suppose I would be able to draw from my experience and help the new government in tackling this situation.

Uttaranchal's creation was preceded by struggles. On the one side there was the decade-long agitation for statehood and on the other there were movements in Hardwar and Udham Singh Nagar against their inclusion in the State.

I do not think so. Every region and every community fights for its rights and demands. That has been the history of the world. Hence the tendency to launch agitations is by itself not a disqualification. What is required is that once a settlement is reac hed, with some give and take, everybody should be convinced to accept it.

As Governor, you are expected to play a role with regard to the opposition to the State by a large section of the population of Udham Singh Nagar.

The people of Udham Singh Nagar were and are not opposed to the State. They opposed inclusion in Uttaranchal fearing that their interests would be harmed. I am of the view that this opposition will die down in due course, when they realise that their int erests would also be protected in the new State. I am confident that total amity would prevail in Uttaranchal. In fact, I already see signs of a thaw in Udham Singh Nagar and other areas opposed to inclusion in the new State. Let me assure you that I sha ll try to cool down the situation if tempers run high anywhere.

What will be the political and developmental direction that you will give?

The primary issue is to maintain amity in the State. The government should take care to involve all people - even those who opposed their inclusion in the State - in the political progress. Only then will the State progress fast.

That is the other fundamental question. The State not only needs progress but has to progress fast. New models of developments have to be evolved and implemented, taking the specific conditions of Uttaranchal into consideration.