TEXT OF THE SPECIAL INTERVENTION MADE BY CHIEF MINISTER PAWAN CHAMLING AT THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING
28.12.2012 New Delhi
“It is my privilege to place our views on behalf of the people of Sikkim even as we finalize perspective plans and programs for the next five years in this NDC Meet. My written speech already circulated may be taken as read.
Our vision is to achieve inclusive and comprehensive development during the 12th Plan based on three important premises. The first is to sustain and further consolidate on our growth momentum attained so far in all sectors. Second, is to introduce more innovative development programs based on our natural resources in promoting sectors under hydro-power, organic farming, eco-friendly and responsible tourism, horticulture and floriculture. And third is to build productive and socially responsible human capital by imparting best education and skills training.
The last 18 years have witnessed visible transformation in the quality of life and human development index of our people through sustained inclusive growth.
Our range of development strategies have worked. We have maintained peace for our citizens in a border State, achieved great economic momentum, higher growth rate, remarkable progress in education and universal healthcare for our people. Our social safety nets including food security are unsurpassed.
The social fabric of our people have been further strengthened putting the women empowerment on fast track. Recent successful Panchayat Elections bear testimony to this. Fifty percent seats and positions reserved for them have been filled up by women candidates. Substantial fall in poverty is being witnessed in our State. A major thrust in promoting livelihoods and skills amongst our young population is bearing fruit. Our forest cover has increased by several percentage points.
You are all aware that role of geography helps or aggravates, as the case may be, the comparative destiny of Himalayan Mountain States. Ours is a landlocked economy where the cream of development is ploughed back to mainland States. All construction materials and much of food commodities are imported to the mountain States. In addition, we have to take care of many externalities in our development strides arising out of inherent deficits. The psychological pressure of living in a border is another dimension which always looms largest.
We are, therefore, of the firm view that development of border region and states should be taken up as national projects, giving them priority and preference that they deserve. In view, thereof, I would like to flag the following issues before this august forum.
• Need for flexibility of norms under centrally sponsored schemes under central sector schemes. It may be mentioned that some schemes are funded on 50:50 or 75:25 basis. Due to lack of sound resource base, we find it difficult to meet state’s share rendering many schemes ineffective;
• The NEC and NLCPR funding should be more liberal to special category States with timely release of the requisite resources;
• The projects and schemes under SPA/ACA of the State Government may be considered and sanctioned early along with timely release of resources so that the projects are not delayed on the ground;
• Border Area Development Fund may be increased suitably.
Connectivity is one of the biggest development challenges. We are totally dependent on the National Highway 31A. We need to strengthen transportation networks in order to interlink growth centres, promote tourism and support economic and social needs of the people. The September 2011 earthquake showed how vulnerable we are to natural calamity and the regular monsoon onslaught greatly hampers our development initiatives including infrastructure building. The Central Government needs to display urgency in speedy completion of widening and improvement works on the existing National Highway and for construction of a two-lane alternate highway connecting Gangtok from Sevoke in West Bengal. A two-lane road from the upcoming Greenfield airport at Pakyong to Gangtok is also required including intermediate lane connectivity to all the marketing centres and also strengthening of major district roads.
Change in market dynamics and infusion of modern technology including social networking has led to altered social behaviour. This resets priorities and values among the younger generation. Greater emphasis on social capital formation from the traditional perspective, promoting cooperative social relationship, bond of trust, honesty and reciprocity will further strengthen civil society.
This will create level playing fields, appropriate opportunities and diversification of economic activities among young population.
If I am permitted to make a suggestion, I would strongly make a plea for those bureaucrats and political leaders excelling in their respective duties towards public service and nation building, to be recognized and felicitated to boost their morale and confidence, together with other achievers in different fields.
Development only in material sense tends to upset social equity leading to social dysfunction like anti-social tendencies among people. We belong to ancient land nurtured by civilizational values. We believe in mutual co-existence and where our dharma gurus have left behind enduring ideals for peaceful living. We have been taught that where motherhood is worshipped, there is godliness inferring safety and security of our women folks and weaker sections of people as being our sacred responsibility.
We need to create a strong base to strengthen civil society, peaceful law and order environment, political stability and good governance to ensure steady development and prosperity. Towards these goals, the Government of Sikkim has steadfastly worked ever since with good results. I assure this august forum that we are committed to efficient governance, a high growth regime to achieve self-reliance.
Finally, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Planning Commission and all the central ministries for completing the 12th Plan Document which, I am sure, will take the country to the next level of progress and prosperity.
Thank you
Jai Hind”
==========================================================
=CM demands new national highway for Sikkim
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at the National Development Council meeting in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
CHAMLING ATTENDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING IN NEW DELHI
GANGTOK, 27 Dec [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today requested the Union government to sanction a new National Highway from West Bengal to Sikkim to provide reliable physical connectivity to the state.
While speaking at the National Development Council meeting at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today the Chief Minister demanded 120 km long new national highway from Sevoke in West Bengal to the state capital Gangtok to strengthen transport network to ensure balanced regional development of the state. He stated that the state is solely dependent on the national highway 31 A and its state highways to link growth centres and social needs of the people and demanded the strengthening of transport network to attract investment from big corporate houses, promote tourism and economic activities in the state.
He demanded the widening and improvement of the existing national highway and construction of a two-lane highway from the under construction Greenfield airport at Pakyong to Gangtok. He demanded central funding for constructing intermediate lane connectivity to all marketing centres and strengthening of major district roads in the state.
Mr Chamling said that the state has 8000 MW hydro electric potential out of which 3774.50 MW potential will be harnessed during the 12 th five year plan and added that transmission network will be strengthened for evacuation of power to national grid and other regions of the country for sale of surplus electricity from the state .
The tourism and hospitality sector has emerged as the fastest growing industry in the state and the state aims to attract 50 lakh tourists annually by the year 2017 through well executed tourism strategy, better planning, aggressive publicity and strengthening of tourism infrastructure in the state, he said.
Mentioning that about seven lakh Indian and 21,000 international tourists visited the state in the year 2010, he said that the state will be developed as a leading domestic and international tourist destination by promoting eco tourism and village tourism during the 12 th five year plan. He added that religious and cultural tourism will be promoted in a big way in the state while new tourism infrastructure mega projects worth several hundred crores like construction of sky walk at Bhaleydunga, development of rope ways to the statue of Guru Padmasambhava , the sleeping Buddha Statue at Singik in North Sikkim will be commissioned during the 12 th five year plan.
Construction of the statue of Lord Buddha at Ravangla in North Sikkim has been completed, he added.
The CM requested the union government to release the remaining fund of Rs 720 crore out of the Prime Ministers package of Rs 1000 crore sanctioned as one time relief package for reconstruction and rehabilitation for earth quake victims. He said that the state has so far received Rs 280 crore and urged the centre to release the remaining assistance at the earliest.
Mr Chamling went on to state that the entire population of the state will be covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-up (CATCH) programme by the year 2013 and added that so far 50% population of the state has already been covered under the programme.
Construction of the 575-bedded multi-speciality hospital at Sichey has been completed and around Rs 735 crore will be spent on construction, furnishing and medical equipment of the hospital which is likely to be commissioned by the year 2014, he said. The government proposes to open a medical college in the hospital once the required infrastructure is created, he added.
Life expectancy ratio in the state has increased by over 3-5 years on average compared to 1994 while the state has achieved literacy rate of 82.2% and aims to achieve 100% literacy in the 12 th five year plan, he mentioned.
Speaking on the Chief Minister's meritorious scholarship launched in the state he said that the target to cover 1000 students under the programme has been fixed and added that so far 350 students are being provided free education in premier public schools under the programme. The state government is providing cash awards for toppers of the class XII and X CBSE examinations and is also sponsoring 146 young educated Sikkimese for undergoing extensive coaching for civil services examinations in top institutions of Delhi, Hyderabad and Tamil Nadu, he further informed.
On achieving the fully organic state status by 2015, the CM said that out of total cultivable area of 58168 hectares in the state , 8168 hectares has already been certified and remaining 50,000 hectares is being taken up in a phased manner under which as on today 39,000 hectares of land is under conversion and remaining 11,000 hectares will be converted by the year 2015.
Mentioning that a total of 830 youth have been trained and engaged in organic activities in the state through livelihood schools, he requested for central assistance in the form of alternative inputs and resources for construction of rural compost and vermi compost units in the state to meet the growing demand for bio fertilizers and manure of organic farmers .
Mr Chamling informed that the state government has engaged Singapore based consultants to devise urban development plans and added that comprehensive mobility plans have been drawn for the state capital in which sectors such as water supply and sewerage have been included. He said that all bazaars in rural areas will be developed and beautified on the lines of MG Marg Gangtok and Central Park Namchi by providing modern amenities to discourage migration to urban areas.
While speaking on housing, the CM said that all kaccha houses in the state are being converted to earth quake resistant pucca houses under which till now 2000 new houses have been constructed with total cost of Rs 80 crore and added that 8300 new pucca houses will be constructed in the 12th plan period at an estimated cost of about Rs 332 crore.
28.12.2012 New Delhi
“It is my privilege to place our views on behalf of the people of Sikkim even as we finalize perspective plans and programs for the next five years in this NDC Meet. My written speech already circulated may be taken as read.
Our vision is to achieve inclusive and comprehensive development during the 12th Plan based on three important premises. The first is to sustain and further consolidate on our growth momentum attained so far in all sectors. Second, is to introduce more innovative development programs based on our natural resources in promoting sectors under hydro-power, organic farming, eco-friendly and responsible tourism, horticulture and floriculture. And third is to build productive and socially responsible human capital by imparting best education and skills training.
The last 18 years have witnessed visible transformation in the quality of life and human development index of our people through sustained inclusive growth.
Our range of development strategies have worked. We have maintained peace for our citizens in a border State, achieved great economic momentum, higher growth rate, remarkable progress in education and universal healthcare for our people. Our social safety nets including food security are unsurpassed.
The social fabric of our people have been further strengthened putting the women empowerment on fast track. Recent successful Panchayat Elections bear testimony to this. Fifty percent seats and positions reserved for them have been filled up by women candidates. Substantial fall in poverty is being witnessed in our State. A major thrust in promoting livelihoods and skills amongst our young population is bearing fruit. Our forest cover has increased by several percentage points.
You are all aware that role of geography helps or aggravates, as the case may be, the comparative destiny of Himalayan Mountain States. Ours is a landlocked economy where the cream of development is ploughed back to mainland States. All construction materials and much of food commodities are imported to the mountain States. In addition, we have to take care of many externalities in our development strides arising out of inherent deficits. The psychological pressure of living in a border is another dimension which always looms largest.
We are, therefore, of the firm view that development of border region and states should be taken up as national projects, giving them priority and preference that they deserve. In view, thereof, I would like to flag the following issues before this august forum.
• Need for flexibility of norms under centrally sponsored schemes under central sector schemes. It may be mentioned that some schemes are funded on 50:50 or 75:25 basis. Due to lack of sound resource base, we find it difficult to meet state’s share rendering many schemes ineffective;
• The NEC and NLCPR funding should be more liberal to special category States with timely release of the requisite resources;
• The projects and schemes under SPA/ACA of the State Government may be considered and sanctioned early along with timely release of resources so that the projects are not delayed on the ground;
• Border Area Development Fund may be increased suitably.
Connectivity is one of the biggest development challenges. We are totally dependent on the National Highway 31A. We need to strengthen transportation networks in order to interlink growth centres, promote tourism and support economic and social needs of the people. The September 2011 earthquake showed how vulnerable we are to natural calamity and the regular monsoon onslaught greatly hampers our development initiatives including infrastructure building. The Central Government needs to display urgency in speedy completion of widening and improvement works on the existing National Highway and for construction of a two-lane alternate highway connecting Gangtok from Sevoke in West Bengal. A two-lane road from the upcoming Greenfield airport at Pakyong to Gangtok is also required including intermediate lane connectivity to all the marketing centres and also strengthening of major district roads.
Change in market dynamics and infusion of modern technology including social networking has led to altered social behaviour. This resets priorities and values among the younger generation. Greater emphasis on social capital formation from the traditional perspective, promoting cooperative social relationship, bond of trust, honesty and reciprocity will further strengthen civil society.
This will create level playing fields, appropriate opportunities and diversification of economic activities among young population.
If I am permitted to make a suggestion, I would strongly make a plea for those bureaucrats and political leaders excelling in their respective duties towards public service and nation building, to be recognized and felicitated to boost their morale and confidence, together with other achievers in different fields.
Development only in material sense tends to upset social equity leading to social dysfunction like anti-social tendencies among people. We belong to ancient land nurtured by civilizational values. We believe in mutual co-existence and where our dharma gurus have left behind enduring ideals for peaceful living. We have been taught that where motherhood is worshipped, there is godliness inferring safety and security of our women folks and weaker sections of people as being our sacred responsibility.
We need to create a strong base to strengthen civil society, peaceful law and order environment, political stability and good governance to ensure steady development and prosperity. Towards these goals, the Government of Sikkim has steadfastly worked ever since with good results. I assure this august forum that we are committed to efficient governance, a high growth regime to achieve self-reliance.
Finally, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Planning Commission and all the central ministries for completing the 12th Plan Document which, I am sure, will take the country to the next level of progress and prosperity.
Thank you
Jai Hind”
==========================================================
=CM demands new national highway for Sikkim
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at the National Development Council meeting in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
CHAMLING ATTENDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING IN NEW DELHI
GANGTOK, 27 Dec [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today requested the Union government to sanction a new National Highway from West Bengal to Sikkim to provide reliable physical connectivity to the state.
While speaking at the National Development Council meeting at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today the Chief Minister demanded 120 km long new national highway from Sevoke in West Bengal to the state capital Gangtok to strengthen transport network to ensure balanced regional development of the state. He stated that the state is solely dependent on the national highway 31 A and its state highways to link growth centres and social needs of the people and demanded the strengthening of transport network to attract investment from big corporate houses, promote tourism and economic activities in the state.
He demanded the widening and improvement of the existing national highway and construction of a two-lane highway from the under construction Greenfield airport at Pakyong to Gangtok. He demanded central funding for constructing intermediate lane connectivity to all marketing centres and strengthening of major district roads in the state.
Mr Chamling said that the state has 8000 MW hydro electric potential out of which 3774.50 MW potential will be harnessed during the 12 th five year plan and added that transmission network will be strengthened for evacuation of power to national grid and other regions of the country for sale of surplus electricity from the state .
The tourism and hospitality sector has emerged as the fastest growing industry in the state and the state aims to attract 50 lakh tourists annually by the year 2017 through well executed tourism strategy, better planning, aggressive publicity and strengthening of tourism infrastructure in the state, he said.
Mentioning that about seven lakh Indian and 21,000 international tourists visited the state in the year 2010, he said that the state will be developed as a leading domestic and international tourist destination by promoting eco tourism and village tourism during the 12 th five year plan. He added that religious and cultural tourism will be promoted in a big way in the state while new tourism infrastructure mega projects worth several hundred crores like construction of sky walk at Bhaleydunga, development of rope ways to the statue of Guru Padmasambhava , the sleeping Buddha Statue at Singik in North Sikkim will be commissioned during the 12 th five year plan.
Construction of the statue of Lord Buddha at Ravangla in North Sikkim has been completed, he added.
The CM requested the union government to release the remaining fund of Rs 720 crore out of the Prime Ministers package of Rs 1000 crore sanctioned as one time relief package for reconstruction and rehabilitation for earth quake victims. He said that the state has so far received Rs 280 crore and urged the centre to release the remaining assistance at the earliest.
Mr Chamling went on to state that the entire population of the state will be covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-up (CATCH) programme by the year 2013 and added that so far 50% population of the state has already been covered under the programme.
Construction of the 575-bedded multi-speciality hospital at Sichey has been completed and around Rs 735 crore will be spent on construction, furnishing and medical equipment of the hospital which is likely to be commissioned by the year 2014, he said. The government proposes to open a medical college in the hospital once the required infrastructure is created, he added.
Life expectancy ratio in the state has increased by over 3-5 years on average compared to 1994 while the state has achieved literacy rate of 82.2% and aims to achieve 100% literacy in the 12 th five year plan, he mentioned.
Speaking on the Chief Minister's meritorious scholarship launched in the state he said that the target to cover 1000 students under the programme has been fixed and added that so far 350 students are being provided free education in premier public schools under the programme. The state government is providing cash awards for toppers of the class XII and X CBSE examinations and is also sponsoring 146 young educated Sikkimese for undergoing extensive coaching for civil services examinations in top institutions of Delhi, Hyderabad and Tamil Nadu, he further informed.
On achieving the fully organic state status by 2015, the CM said that out of total cultivable area of 58168 hectares in the state , 8168 hectares has already been certified and remaining 50,000 hectares is being taken up in a phased manner under which as on today 39,000 hectares of land is under conversion and remaining 11,000 hectares will be converted by the year 2015.
Mentioning that a total of 830 youth have been trained and engaged in organic activities in the state through livelihood schools, he requested for central assistance in the form of alternative inputs and resources for construction of rural compost and vermi compost units in the state to meet the growing demand for bio fertilizers and manure of organic farmers .
Mr Chamling informed that the state government has engaged Singapore based consultants to devise urban development plans and added that comprehensive mobility plans have been drawn for the state capital in which sectors such as water supply and sewerage have been included. He said that all bazaars in rural areas will be developed and beautified on the lines of MG Marg Gangtok and Central Park Namchi by providing modern amenities to discourage migration to urban areas.
While speaking on housing, the CM said that all kaccha houses in the state are being converted to earth quake resistant pucca houses under which till now 2000 new houses have been constructed with total cost of Rs 80 crore and added that 8300 new pucca houses will be constructed in the 12th plan period at an estimated cost of about Rs 332 crore.
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