NEDFi will have a much bigger presence in Sikkim: BK Handique


DoNER Ministry serious on Buddhist circuit between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh



source;sikkim express

GANGTOK, September 9: DoNER minister BK Handique today assured the State government that the North East Development Financial Corporation (NEDFi) will have a ‘much bigger presence’ in Sikkim for providing financial support to enterprising Sikkimese youth.

“From now on, NEDFi will have a much larger presence and bigger role to play in Sikkim. Once we show the way, other financial institutions will also come”, said the DoNER minister during the inaugural session of a seminar on ‘Development of Manufacturing and Services Sector in NER’ organized by NEDFi here at Gangtok.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, industries minister Neeru Sewa, chief secretary TT Dorji, senior government officials and representatives from financial institutions and entrepreneurs from Sikkim and other NE States attended the function.

The Chief Minister in his address had asserted the NEDFi needs to be more visible and aggressive in promoting the interest of the local people. He had urged the NEDFi to upgrade and increase the funds to its office here at Gangtok.

Chamling also presented six issues specific to Sikkim and requested the personal intervention of the DoNER minister for their speeding solution. He requested a one time grant of Rs. 50 crores for acquisition of land in Sikkim so that the State government is able to provide land to investors on lease basis.

“If we are successful in this effort, we can expect investment over Rs. 5000 crores which will create employment opportunities to our people”.

The Chief Minister also demanded revision of trade items for the Nathu La border trade between Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region. He further demanded a Central Public Sector Undertaking in Sikkim and financial assistance for training facilities at Directorate of Handlooms & Handicrafts.

Another demand placed by Chamling was a one-time financial assistance and scientific and technological support for rejuvenation and re-plantation of cardamom and orange in Sikkim.

Responding to the demands, the DoNER minister assured all possible help to Sikkim in fields of floriculture, horticulture and tourism.

“I will discuss with Centre to see whether a Central Public Sector Undertaking can be set up here”, said Handique.

Regarding the one-time grant of Rs. 50 crores demanded by the Chief Minister for land acquisition for industrialization, the DoNER minister later told reporters that he has to go back and look into the demand more carefully. “I have to go back and see. As per rules we cannot give but we will see and find out a way because other Northeastern States are also making similar demands. We will soon take a call on yes or no”, he said.

Handique also assured to look into demand of revision of Nathu La trade items.

In his interaction with media, the DoNER minister laid stress on promotion of Buddhist circuit between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast with the adjoining Southeast Asian nations.

“I was toying with this idea for some time. I have already talked with both Myanmar and Thailand governments”, said Handique. His idea of Buddhist circuit was ‘Sky to Earth’.

“Tawang has the highest monastery and from there, tourists can drop down to other monasteries in the Northeast. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are Buddhist pilgrimage destinations on their own right and only thing that is required is air connectivity”, said the DoNER minister. He said that he has already taken up the issue of inter-connectivity in Northeast region through air with the Indian Airlines.

“Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are bit detached from Northeast region. I am suggesting air connectivity between these two States with Guwahati being a halting point for the easy accessibility for tourists”, said Handique.

The DoNER minister also disbursed loans to small scale entrepreneurs from Sikkim on the occasion.

NEDFi chief managing director B Paul Muktieh and DoNER joint secretary Dr JP Sharma also addressed the gathering.

Earlier in the morning, the DoNER minister called on the Chief Minister at his official residence Mintokgang.

An IPR release informs that Handique expressed utmost satisfaction on how Sikkim has made tremendous progress in various sectors and also appreciated the city of Gangtok commenting it as one of the cleanest cities he has ever seen.

The Union Minister also felt need of having intra air connectivity in the North Eastern Region in order to develop the region as the potential tourist destination while assuring to help to improve border trade in the region.

The Chief Minister expressed his hope to get full support and cooperation from DoNER Ministry in order to usher Sikkim into the horizon of development and also felt need to revise the current list of border trade goods in order to get the border trade into over drive.

State development commissioner-additional chief secretary Karma Gyatso was also present during meeting.