Shri Sanchaman Limboo, Deputy Chairman, Sikkim State Planning Commission attended a Conference of Deputy & Vice Chairpersons of State Planning Commission/ Boards on 6th July, 2012 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
In his address Shri Sanchaman Limboo, Deputy Chairman , Sikkim State Planning Commission informed the house about the developmental progress being made by the State Government since 1994. He highlighted State Government’s policy of providing measures for poverty alleviation and converting the State from consumer to a producer State leading towards self reliance. He pointed out that during the year 2010-11 the State’s Gross Domestic Product growth at constant prices was 8.95% which was higher than all India growth of 8.6%. Furthermore, he also pointed out that the per capita income at the current prices for Sikkim was Rs. 92,808/- against all India figure of Rs. 54,527/-. This socio economic indicators shows that State economy has steadily improved during the past years.
In conformity with the National Policy of inclusive growth the State Government has taken steps to focus on the need to improve all the vulnerable groups like the SC, ST and OBC. In fact Poverty Free State Mission has been declared by the HCM as one of the focus areas of Government Policy.
In the 12th Five Year Plan the State plans to consolidate on the projects and infrastructure development that have been achieved in the 11th Five Year Plan. While the State Government plans to complete all the ongoing projects in the infrastructure sector, development in the social sector such as health for all, universal access for children to school, improved standards of education and skill development are to be given due focus.
Shri Sanchaman Limboo also informed the House about the disastrous earthquake that shook the State on 18th of September, 2011 and the extensive damages that have been caused to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, power, Government buildings, water supply and sanitation. He informed the members of the meeting that as a consequence of the earthquake the development clock of the State Government has been set back by at least 10 – 15 years and that during the 12th Five Year Plan substantial amount of resources would have to be allocated for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure. He also focused on the need to have 100% dependability of road connectivity as this was the only lifeline in the landlocked State.
The geographical location of the State had proved to be a great disadvantage to developmental plan and due to high cost of transportation of essential goods the cost of living in the State is on the higher side. Geographically, Sikkim is surrounded by three international borders and the geopolitical importance of the State cannot be adequately underlined. The Deputy Chairman also informed the House of the various innovative programmes that have been initiated by the State and also informed the meeting about the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual & Total Check (CATCH) up for Healthy Sikkim programme and the Chief Minister’s Special Meritorious Scholarship schemes.
On the subject of governance Sikkim has ranked 3rd in decentralization of performance and accountability to Panchayati Raj Institutions. Shri Limboo also talked about the need to bridge the urban rural divide so as to ensure equity in development. In the rural development sector Sikkim has been allocating 70% of its plan outlay and achieved 100% total sanitation under the Government of India’s Total Sanitation Campaign.
The Deputy Chairman informed the House that during the 12th Five Year Plan the State of Sikkim plans to move on the path of sustainable economic development by harnessing its natural resources. Priority is also to be given to horticulture and agriculture sector and organic growth of agricultural produce.
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