The BJP returned to power with a popular mandate in December last year, winning 43 seats in the 68-member Assembly. It was a rare moment. It was the first time in the state’s political history that a non-Congress Government had been formed on its own strength. It’s a great opportunity for me to head the state for the second time, and also a challenge to put Himachal back on track with fast-paced development, economic growth and infrastructure building. It’s an exercise that should be undertaken with strong determination and without disturbing the ecology of the hills.

We are a small state rich in resources, which, if exploited in a systematic and sustainable manner for, can turn the state into a model of self-reliant economy. I am sure that if the available resources are exploited wisely, the state may not even require special favours like additional funding for sustaining development or meeting other commitments in social sectors. Himachal is moving in this direction slowly but firmly and I have resolved to make it a model of a self-reliance through such initiatives.

Being a special category state, we are entitled to Central care in matters of funding. Unfortunately, the state has got a raw deal at the hands of the Centre; it has never been sympathetic or generous to us. Himachal has an untapped wealth of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in the form of forests. In all these years, the state has taken care to preserve the forests and maintain ecological balance at the cost of development and resources—which otherwise could have accrued to us.

... contd.