CM flags social challenges and commitment to the young as priority issues

I-DAY CELEBRATIONS IN GANGTOK 
CM ANNOUNCES SCIENCE AND COMMERCE STREAMS FOR ALL SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, Rs 500 NUTRITIONAL ALLOWANCE FOR NEW-BORNS FOR FIRST SIX YEARS

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 16 Aug: “We have to devise some stringent legislation to save our society from possible disintegration that is why we have contemplated imposition of rigorous penalty, including imprisonment and fines for anyone serving liquor to children and minors in hotels and restaurants and also for drug peddlers,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his address on the occasion of 65th Independence Day celebration held here at Paljor Stadium yesterday.
“We also plan to propose a Bill in the Assembly against extortion by vested people in the state,” he said and added that if steps were not taken in this direction then Sikkim could end up like the other North Eastern States where insurgency was rampant.
“Corruption is another issue which needs to be fought against as corruption has many dimensions and is a tendency, so corruption needs to be tackled firmly,” he said while adding corruption charges have been leveled against the Sikkim Democratic Front Government by the opposition parties for the past 18 years and so to prove that there is nothing to hide in my government, I have myself instituted an enquiry commission [The Patra Commission] to be set up to look into this matter.
Further, addressing the children and students, he announced the introduction of Science and Commerce Streams in all Senior Secondary Schools of Sikkim, “so that more options are available for students to choose the subjects of their interest.”
“Education continues to remain the priority sector, the CM said, adding that launching of the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Scholarship Programme was a unique initiative in which children from rural areas have been placed in reputed schools across the country. “The aim of my government is to sponsor at least 1000 students annually under this programme,” he announced.
He also informed about the Chief Minister’s Special Scholarship Programme, under which 20 students have got admission in schools outside the country for further studies will be provided with money by the State Government for the entire period of their studies.
“It has been our endeavour to impart quality education to our children by upgrading pool of untrained teachers into trained teachers at all levels in a phased manner. Recruitment of well educated and trained teachers to teach science and mathematics is being emphasized. The objective is 100 per cent enrollment and zero per cent drop-out of children and thus make Sikkim a drug free and drop-out free state,” the CM further informed.
“I call upon the young generation Sikkimese to change your mindset, open up to greater horizon and harness all opportunities knocking at your doors both within and outside the state,” the CM said and added that the youth should be responsible and be able to utilize all the existing opportunities for their well being.
On healthcare, the CM said, “We aim to provide quality health care which is responsive to the needs of the people and during the 12th Five Year Plan, it is our aim to take delivery of quality health care to all the people of the State.”
Addressing the women and the girl child, he said that the government will start vaccination to control cases of cervical cancer among girls from this year, itself. He also informed them of the introduction of one-time maternity allowance of Rs. 3,500 to lactating mother at the time of delivery and Rs. 500 per month in the name of the first new-born child for a period of six years as Nutritional Allowance.
Speaking on the other schemes and proposals of the government in the pipeline, he informed about the upgradation and beautification all bazaars in the state, construction of Ropeway at the Phamrang Falls, establishment of pilgrimage center as ‘Ramayan Busty’ at Tumin Barang, development of Hangu Lake at Sherathang with boating facilities for tourism purpose, uniforms to be provided to ICDS children, etc.
A felicitation programme to honour social workers, literary figures, accomplished sportspersons, bureaucrats and persons with distinct achievements will be organized by the State Government on 16 September, he further announced.
Having completed building of all infrastructural requirements, we will nw concentrate on quality development and this is inclusive in nature to include everything from quality roads, quality drinking water, education, health and quality services under different sectors to fully address the hopes and aspirations of the people, he stated.
Earlier, the names of Bhim Kumar Tamang [Senior Superintendent of Police, North District] and Dawa Tamang [Sub Inspector, Sikkim Armed Police] were announced for the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service Independence Day 2011, while eight persons from Sikkim received the State meritorious service Award.
Dr. Uma Pradhan [Principal Chief Consultant cum Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital], Khus Kumari  Subba [Joint Director (ICDS) Social Justice Empowerment and Welfare Department], Bhim Bahadur Subba [Deputy SP (SDPO, Jorethang) Sikkim Police], PI Chundi Chopel Bhutia [Officer in Charge, Singtam Police Station], Prem Bahadur Basnet [Horticulture Inspector, Horticulture & Cash Crop Department], Phurba Lepcha [Office Superintendent, Sikkim Information Commission], Padam Lall Pradhan [Sub Inspector, Sikkim Armed Police] and Lok Bahadur Pariyar [Draughtsmans, Irrigation and Flood Control] received the awards.