January 26, 2014.

Message of Hon’ble Chief Minister

On the auspicious and happy occasion of the 65^th Republic Day, I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Sikkim and to our countrymen. It was on this day in 1950 that the Constitution of India came into being and provided us broader framework for democratic governance securing to all citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

On this happy occasion, we also remember the architects of modern India and the Constitution Drafting Committee led by Dr. Ambedkar, for their foresight and wisdom to give to us an all-inclusive Constitution. After a long spell of colonial rule, it was a tough calling and a grave responsibility on our part to define the road ahead for total democratization and absolute development.   After six decades, we can see that we have emerged as the greatest democratic Nation. We salute all the great sons and daughters for their sacrifice and hard work to build our Nation to this position of eminence in all spheres of development.

Sikkim, although joined the Indian Union in mid 1970s has been integrated into the mainstream. We have traversed a long way hand in hand with the rest of the countrymen in our quest for progress and development. The hopes and aspiration of Sikkimese people as enshrined in the historical socio-political transition have been addressed to a large extent respecting each individual as equal before law with rights and privileges as available under the Constitution to all the countrymen. We have witnessed difficult times and faced a number of challenges, nevertheless our resilience and resolve to remain steadfast has never diminished.

The Government of Sikkim has achieved many milestones over three decades and I consider it a privilege to share some of these achievements. The credit for these laurels goes to you- my fellow citizens of the State.

The range of development strategies we have adopted during the last 19 years have been tailored to meet the special needs of the people of the State. The State has to its credit more than 20 national and other awards in various categories conferred by Government of India and others. These achievements have been won in the field of education, tourism, health, environment, citizens’ security and justice. In 2012 Sikkim was conferred with the prestigious IBN7 Diamond State Award in the category, Best State in Citizen Security, Environment, Water and Sanitation and a special award under India’s Best Small State Category.

Recently, the global travel guide “Lonely Planet” listed Sikkim as the best region to visit in 2014 beating other favorite destinations of the world like the Kimberley in Australia, Texas in US, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia and Hunan in China. We collectively share this rare recognition. Now we have the added responsibility to keep up the good image of Sikkim and work sincerely to further promote responsible tourism in the State.

We have strengthened and expanded power infrastructure in order to become a major power producer. Hydro power is considered an efficient and clean source of renewable energy where hilly State like ours can substantially contribute.

The 100 MW Chujachen Hydro-electric Power Project is now functional. This project is likely to fetch the State around 50 crores annually. This is in addition to the already commissioned 510 MW Teesta Stage V and 60 MW Rangeet Hydro-Power Project. The 1200 MW Teesta Urja Project is also making good progress. The State Government is keenly watching the progress of the hydro power projects and we hope that they would be commissioned as scheduled.

All development programs undertaken by the State Government are pro-poor and people-centric granting direct benefits to the poor and the marginalized. The State Government has been able to connect remote villages with all-weather road, provide access to food, water and sanitation, education and livelihood options. More than 75% of our people live in the villages and rural areas and we have followed a consistent policy of spending more than 70% of the State Budget for rural upliftment. As a result, there has been a dramatic change and rural prosperity is the order of the day.

Education and Health sectors are our top priority. Facilities available under these sectors are best found in the Country. Sikkim is perhaps the only State to earmark over 20% of its annual budget to the education sector. We have recorded an impressive improvement in the literacy rate of 82.2%, up from 56 percent in 1993-94. The teacher-pupil ratio of 1:13 is perhaps one of the best found in the country. A host of educational facilities at the elementary and in the higher education have been provided. The new Central University has been established in Sikkim and our enrolment ratio for higher education will be greatly boosted.

The ongoing Chief Minister’s Meritorious Scholarship Scheme, Chief Minister’s Special Merit Scholarship, Prerna Yojana, small family scheme that is linked to academic excellence among girl students, have helped many of our promising children from weaker economic background to excel at the regional, national and international levels.

The State Government is successfully running innovative human resource development programs in the State to train our people in different trade and vocations based on market demand at the local level, at the regional and international levels by making people employable in the job markets within and outside the State. We started the Skill Development and Capacity Building programme in the State in 2003. Directorate of Capacity Building and the State Institute of Capacity Building are fully functional and various training programmes are being successfully held round the year

Establishment of 43 Livelihood Schools across the State has added a new dimension in the training of the local youth. These schools train local youth in trade and profession ranging from carpentry to basic engineering so that the students can find gainful employment after the training.

Over the years, the State has worked out comprehensive strategy for a healthy Sikkim. Delivery of quality health services has remained our priority. As a result of the improved health services the life expectancy ratio has increased by over 2 years on average. The Infant Mortality Rate of 24 per 1000 is better than the national average of 44 per 1000. Patients are given free treatment and 100% medical reimbursement is given to Government employees. Free Hepatitis B vaccination, MDR vaccination and distribution of Iron folic acid tablet, Calcium tablets are provided to the people.

The major initiative launched in the State is the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-Up for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH) which is designed to take up routine check-up in order to provide preventive and remedial measures. Our aim is to provide community base comprehensive annual health check-ups and care, free of charge. We have already achieved over 90 percent coverage under this program.

Construction of 575-bedded multi-specialty hospital at Gangtok is expected to facilitate people with access to super class medical facilities. The aim of my government is to provide the best health care to all the citizens at an affordable cost.

In the environment sector, we have created a new benchmark. Our forest cover has increased from 43.95 % 1993-94 to 47.31at present. We have created Smriti Bans, bio-diversity parks, herbal gardens and butterfly parks. The 10 Minutes to Earth programme is an innovative annual initiative to dedicate 10 minutes for planting saplings. The State Government has banned many human activities in reserved forest to conserve the greenery, to protect and promote animal life and the many species of floral wealth in the State. This will in some way contribute towards conservation of the Himalayan eco system of the region. We will further continue to promote the green campaign.

While adhering to the policy of inclusive growth, my government has focused on programmes in poverty reduction, reduction of inequality, empowerment of women, employment generation and livelihood provision. Adoption and implementation of 22 State Missions would take the State on a path of progress and prosperity. The long term aim of the government is to achieve a comprehensive development to sustain and further consolidate the growth momentum which we have achieved so far. Our strategy and efforts will be based on the State’s natural resources without compromising on the ecology and environment.

The agriculture system practiced in Sikkim are integrated in nature and have evolved through years of experimentation by the farmers. There is marginal improvement in the lifestyle of the farmers with the adoption of modern technology realizing the necessity for sustenance of the existing fragile eco system. My government is supporting and promoting organic farming with least interference on natural resource utilization. Our vision is to be a totally and fully Organic State by 2015.

Sikkim is famous for large cardamom, ginger, oranges, flowers and medicinal herbs. My Government’s endeavor is to encourage the youth to take up organic farming and capitalize it as a sustainable source of income and livelihood.

Horticulture and floriculture is another area of priority. Horticulture is being promoted by increasing the area under cultivation of fruits and flowers. The government will continue to assist farmers in construction of green houses for cultivation of vegetables and flowers. We will assist the farmers by providing irrigation facilities, and encouraging building of community water tanks, rain water harvesting structures and other methods of water storage. Double cropping, setting up of food processing units, cold chain infrastructure, storage facility and providing marketing linkages will be our area of focus.

Floriculture is a viable livelihood option for small and marginal farmers. The Government of Sikkim hosted the 2^nd International Flower Show in February, 2013. We are committed to harness the natural wealth of the state on a long term and sustainable manner and also to establish floriculture and horticulture as a sustainable economic option. The success of this mega flower festival has given a big impetus to the floriculture sector. We feel the objective of the event to promote and showcase the natural floral wealth and the floriculture and the horticulture development has been fulfilled.

We are committed to the upliftment and development of the rural areas and the people in the State. We hope to achieve this vision by developing the rural areas at par with urban areas, with modern amenities and also providing sustainable employment opportunities to the rural youth. We will make all efforts to ensure that the benefits of development are translated into positive outcomes for the common man and that the benefits reach the poorest of the poor. My Government has established 31 Block Administrative Centres in the State to facilitate smooth day to day administrative work of the villagers at a very local level. The Panchayati Raj Institutions have been strengthened for people’s empowerment and sufficient powers have been devolved at the grassroot level by adopting a participatory and bottoms up approach in the planning process.

As a result of our efforts the State Government bagged the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for 2011-12. This National Award has been constituted by the Government of India in order to acknowledge and reward innovative work done by the officers of the Central and State Governments. The nomination “Excellence in Rural Management Development in challenging physical environment of the Sikkim Himalayas” was selected amongst the winners for this award from 128 contenders from all over the country.

The nomination of RMDD has highlighted the initiatives related to MGNREGA, Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Scheme (CMRHM), Siddeshwara Dham Pilgrimage Complex, empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Sanitation and Village Development Action Plan in Sikkim State over the last few years.

During the last 10-15 years, the State of Sikkim has slowly transformed from an agrarian society into an industrial phase with the establishment of numerous high value and low volume, eco-friendly and clean industrial units including the pharma units and hydro power projects. We now aim to move towards knowledge based innovative ventures like innovative industry, tourism, agriculture, floriculture etc.

My government is committed to push forward and develop the State further through all means. In this effort, I seek your continued cooperation and participation. At the same time we need to enhance our revenue base, create jobs and create more infrastructure that will bear revenue in the long run to further catapult Sikkim into the next growth trajectory.

As a landlocked, infrastructure-deficit State, we have our own limitations. Nonetheless, we have to capitalize on our advantages as Nature-rich zone- clean with green environment. The recent meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the North East Chief Ministers has deliberated on infrastructure development including railways, roads, airports, telecom and power. It has also been decided to constitute a Monitoring Committee with representatives from the North East states to improve coordination among central ministries. This I am sure would further strengthen our federal structure and at the same time accelerate our growth momentum overcoming many of our inherent problems.

The State Government also held a meeting with the 14^th Finance Commission led by its Chairman, Dr. YV Reddy, accompanied by Hon’ble Members. As provided under the provision of Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, the Commission makes recommendation covering a period of five years commencing on April 1, 2015.

Putting forth our submission, we have sought special consideration for the State of Sikkim due to its geography and also its socio-political history. Among them are our submission to base 2011 census population figures for fiscal devolution as against 1971 census, raising of share percentage from the existing 32 percent to 50 percent of new proceed of central taxes, an additional 400 crores to complete the iconic skywalk project, Rs. 10 crores on Study of Glacier Dynamics, Green Bonus in view of the pioneering efforts in preserving Himalayan Ecology and Peace Bonus for maintaining absolute peace and tranquility in the State.

As a welfare State, people have enjoyed unhampered social welfare measures to fulfill basic human commitment of roti, kapda and makan. We have put in place adequate social safety net so that the disadvantaged section of population is provided special care and attention.

Consequently, we provide rice free of cost to the poorest of the poor and to the elder citizens, and other essential commodities including wheat and sugar at a highly subsidized rate. We provide free housing to the urban and rural poor. For example, a total of 7,972 and 6,000 concrete houses are being constructed under Chief Minister Rural Housing scheme and Re-construction of Earthquake-damaged Rural Houses scheme.

The State Government has decided to regularize all MR and Workcharge employees on a phased manner. The first lot with more than 15 year of continuous service is being regularized. Similar step is being taken for others who have served the State for more than 5 years of continuous service.

We are holding Janata Mela again beginning next week covering all the four districts. Benefits under various schemes are being distributed to the enlisted households. We would cover all deserving households under various schemes, reaching government grants to each every door wherever required. I congratulate all the Sikkimese people for receiving grants and benefit and call upon you to utilize them purposefully.

Mandated constitutionally to design program for the benefit of fellow Sikkimese, I would continue to move ahead with a grand vision to make Sikkim the most progressive and prosperous State in the Indian Union. May I call upon the Sikkimese people to join hand with me to remain committed for cause of our society, state and the nation building.  

Before I conclude, I congratulate the meritorious service awardees, the winners of the commendation letter for local entrepreneurs and the war veterans who have been felicitated today.

My warm greetings and good wishes once gain to my fellow Sikkimese

Thank you

Jai Hind