Second Day of Budget Session 2010


Gangtok, June 22: On the second day of the budget session, the Chief Minister who is also the Minister-in-charge of Law Department moved the Registration of Companies (Amendment) Bill, Sikkim, Bill No 10 of 2010, which was introduced in the House yesterday was unanimously voted and passed by the House.

The statement of objects and reasons accompanying the Bill states that there is a need for providing a clause for winding up of companies and also to streamline the procedure for such winding up of any company registered under the Act a clause has been proposed to be inserted and to make the provision effective retrospectively so as to make the Act balanced and deal with the cases of winding up of company.
During the discussion on Motion of Thanks on Governor’s address the Chief Minister,

Mr Pawan Chamling remarked that the 12.4 % increase in the budget was credited to the prevalence of good governance, peace and tranquility in the state. He further added that this budget reflects the commitment and aspirations of the people in the changing scenario. The budget is meant for all those who have faith in democratic principles, decentralization, devolution of powers and aims at achieving social justice, collective happiness. Here, he also said that the Planning Commission of India had noted a deep appreciation of the achievements and progress made by the Government.

The development strategy chosen by the State Government is a balance path between social and economic development, protection of environment, ecology, development of infrastructure and resources to contribute to the welfare of the people, with emphasis on their health, education and livelihood.

The Motion of thanks on the Governor’s address was adopted and unanimously passed by the House.

While, during the Financial Business, the Chief Minister, also the Minister-in-charge for Finance Revenue and Expenditure moved the Excess Demands for Grants for the Financial year 2005-2006. Thereafter, the Chief Minister introduced the Sikkim Appropriation Bill, Bill No 12 of 2010 for Excess Demands for Grants 2005-2006 ended 31 March, 2006 which was also unanimously voted and passed in the House.

The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that the Bill was introduced in pursuance of clause (1) of Article 204 read with sub clause (b) of clause (1) of Article 205 of the Constitution of India to provide for the appropriation of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Sikkim of the money required to meet the expenditure incurred in the excess of the appropriation charged on the Consolidated Fund and the Grants made by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the financial year 2005-06 ended on 31st day of March 2006.

MLA Mr Madan Cintury while participating in the general discussion on budget appreciated and welcomed the Budget 2010-11 and said that it fulfills the socio-economic aspirations of the people and thanked the Chief Minister for his visionary leadership and planning. He also requested extension of medical benefits to the ex members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and appreciated various policies adopted by the Government such as Capacity Building, quality education, upliftment of the poor and weaker section in the state.

The Chief Minister while replying to the general discussion on Budget 2010-11 said that the budget is geared towards the upliftment of the economy of the state. It focuses on inclusive growth and aims to improve the living standard of people, generate employment, protection of environment, ecology, infrastructure development with emphasis on health, education and livelihood. The Chief Minister further said that in the area of social justice and equity, the Government has covered
unprecedented milestones.

The inclusion of Limboo and Tamang communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes, without diluting the socio-political protection already provided to the BL community is an important landmark. Consequent upon the constitutional recognition, the Government has been putting up utmost effort for granting them seat reservation in the State Assembly. By virtue of their inclusion in the ST category, seat reservation to the Limboo and Tamang communities is constitutionally admissible. The Chief Minister further stressed that he is fully confident that the newly inducted ST communities will get their due fundamental right in the Assembly.

The Government has taken the education sector on priority basis and is focused on ensuring quality education in the state. With regard to the Health Sector the Chief Minister said that major initiatives has been taken for Providing Health Insurance to all the people of Sikkim. In order to recognize the vast contribution made by the fourth state in furthering the cause of democracy the government has allocated a sum of Rs 50 lakhs as media development fund.