Sikkim to get bonus for less fiscal deficit, says PD Rai

by A. CHATTERJEE

Gangtok: Mr. P. D. Rai, Lok Sabha Member from Sikkim held a press conference at his residence here on Saturday, April 17, to acquaint the scribes of the ingoing in the current budget session in the Parliament and also to answer other queries. Missing the Question Hour in Lok Sabha this time, the MP agreed to answer reporters’ questions first.

Asked whether the 13th Finance Commission recommendation to the Planning Commission for Sikkim offsets the drastic cut by the 12th Finance Commission, Mr. Rai said, “It has more than offset”. Elaborating he said the Commission has duly credited achievements of the Sikkim Democratic Front government in the financial sector by way of revenue generation and lowering of fiscal deficit. “The Commission has recommended a bonus of Rs.200 crore to Sikkim for bringing down fiscal deficit”, Mr. Rai informed. To another question he said, the delay in finalization of the plan size this time is for all the States. It is mainly because the Finance Commission report came late, he said.

He gave an insight how the current Parliament session became stormy due to the stand of opposition parties and also some allies of UPA on issues like massacre of CRPF jawans by Maoists and others.

Regarding Women’s Reservation Bill he said “half the battle is won” as the Bill is passed in Rajya Sabha and “it will not lapse”. Asked about the delay in commissioning Doordarshan station in Sikkim, Mr. Rai said, “I am a member of the Standing Committee which covers four Ministries including Information & Broadcasting; I will certainly talk to I & B Ministry on this pending demand of Sikkim”.

Regarding prospect of expanding Nathula trade basket by increasing the trade items, he said “the matter is under hot pursuit but the China-India relation is also a factor”.

Asked about his role in Gorkhaland demand of Darjeeling he said, “Personally I may have sympathy but as SDF MP I will act according to the policy of the party and its leader”.