Other States can take a lead from Sikkim: PM Narendra Modi
Chief Minister Chamling attended the 65th NEC Plenary Meeting
Shillong: The Chief Minister ShriPawanChamling
attended the second day of the 65th NEC Plenary Meeting being chaired by the
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi here at the State Convention Centre,
Shillong.
The Prime Minister while lauding the effort of the
Sikkim Government referred to his visit to Gangtok, Sikkim on January 18 to
declare the State a total organic state, the first such state in the country.
The Prime Minister specifically called upon “other states can take a lead from
Sikkim” in organic agriculture.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister unveiled many other
programs for overall development of the North East region including development
of the state of the art centre, livelihood ventures. This is aimed at reducing
the relative isolation of the region. The Prime Minister stressed that he sees
no reason as why the region could not develop as much as other region in the
country and acknowledge immense natural and human resources. The Prime Minister
stressed on the principle of competitive and cooperative federalism and said
that all regions must grow equitably.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister while addressing the
meeting apprised the Prime Minister regarding shortfall under the 14th Finance
Commission award to Sikkim. The Chief Minister said that the 14th FC award to
Sikkim grossly overstated the growth rate of Sikkim as 150 percent. Hence, the
revenue was pegged at Rs. 3,000 Crores per annum whereas the actual revenue is
Rs 1,000 Crores leaving a huge gap of Rs. 2,000 Crores annually. In 5 years, it
would mean there will have a shortfall of Rs. 10,000 Crores which would cause a
huge disruption in state’s finances. The position has now been acknowledged by
the Finance ministry. He requested the Hon’ble Prime Minister to help find ways
and means to cover this gap and give relief. For a small State like Sikkim,
there is no other way to fill this void but to get direct transfers from the
Centre, he said.
The Chief Minister also sought one time grant of Rs
350 Crores to complete special Centrally Sponsored Programs and Schemes which
are at a stand still. The chief Minister reminded the Hon’ble Prime Minister
that there were many special schemes that were funded under SPA and SCA in the
past. These schemes need to be completed. A total of Rs. 350 Crores is needed
for this purpose. He requested the Prime Minister for favourable action at the
earliest to help the state complete these schemes which are all related to
infrastructure.
The Chief Minister further suggested that one of the
ways out is to ensure that this money comes from the NLCPR which is being
discussed between DoNER and the Finance Ministry. This will pave the way for
the rapid resolution of all such issues for all other States as well, he said.
Dwelling upon the issues of Maintenance of Roads in
Mountain terrain, the Chief Minister said that Sikkim has one of the highest
density of roads. Sikkim has the highest mountain in India, the mighty
Kanchenjunga which is also guardian deity. Being a mountainous state in a
seismic zone V Sikkim receives heavy rainfall. These add to our major
difficulties. Roads are always under severe disruption due to landslides
needing to create a pool of resources to undertake maintenance on a war
footing. In this connection, the Chief Minister proposed that a new head be
created under DoNER or NEC, to be funded liberally from NLCPR. This will take
care of this very important issue. A total of Rs 500 Crores will be required
for this purpose in Sikkim annually to maintain over 4,000 km of roads, the
chief Minister said.
Talking about the important issue of Organic Farming
– the new era for the NER, the Chief Minister thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister
for encouraging organic agriculture and especially Sikkim’s initiative. He also
thanked the PM for the first direct assistance of Rs. 42 Crores received by way of a grant
this year. The Chief Minister made the following suggestions:
a. Expanding
Organic Agriculture to the North Eastern Region is now a forward looking policy
of Government of India.
b. We
have gone through this process since 2003 and have documented the process. It
took us over 12 years to complete this.
c. NEC
should take Organic Agriculture in NER in Mission mode.
d. My
State Government will extend all help in this regard to the NEC if required.
Later in the afternoon, the Chief Minister joined
Prime Minister in a public reception meeting held at the Polo Ground Sports
complex where a large number of public was present to receive the Prime
Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers. Attending the function, “Focus on
Rural Livelihood in North East: Interaction with Members of Self Help Group”
the Chief Minister received two awards under two different categories, namely
1. “Certificate
of Recognition” for making Gangtok being recognized as the Cleanest City in
North East India. The Prime Minister also handed over a cheque of Rs. 5 lakhs
to the Chief Minister for making Gangtok the cleanest city in the NE India;
2. “Certificate
of Recognition” for making Sikkim being recognized as the first open defecation
free state in the NE region;
The Prime Minister congratulated Chief Minister for
these commendable achievements.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister was accompanied by the
LokSabha MP, Shri PD Rai, Additional Chief Secretary and other government
officials from Sikkim
Category: Sikkim Government
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