Q: You have three ministerial portfolios. How would you do justice to each?A: This is the first time that three ministerial portfolios have come under one minister in the state. This is on the lines of the union government in which sports and education with culture have been given to one minister, so that his department would work like a human resource development centre. It will help me take policy decisions quickly.

Q: Do you plan to start student council elections in state colleges?A: Yes. We can produce many good politicians through fair elections in colleges. College elections are banned in the state because of law and order problems almost 25 years ago. Now the law and order situation has changed. Moreover, the committee appointed to review this ban has recommended that elections be brought back. Now we have to get the legislative assembly's nod.

Q: Do you plan to bifurcate universities in the state?A: Yes. At one time only 70-100 colleges were affiliated with a university, but now the situation has completely changed. For instance, over 600 colleges are affiliated with the Mumbai university. So there is a need to bifurcate the university. This will take some pressure off it and allow it to focus on more quality education.

Q: Accommodation for resident doctors in medical colleges has been a major problem. Please comment.A: Accommodating resident doctors (in government-run colleges) is our priority. I will focus on their health and ensure that they get all the facilities they deserve. Right now I am gathering information about the condition of their hostels. Hostels and libraries in civic and state-run medical colleges should be in good shape. Resident doctors should work in a good environment.

Q: What about research work in hospitals?A: The healthcare field needs lots of research work and we have lot of scope for research in our state. Because our hospitals handle lakhs of patients per year, we gather a lot of data. Soon, I will hold a meeting with all medical college deans, and will instruct them to focus on research work. The central government has several schemes, which will finance research projects and encourage students and doctors to create special research wings in their departments. These separate wings will comprise expert doctors from within the departments, who will look after the research work.