“Interest of Sikkimese people uppermost in my mind”

65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE OF THE CHIEF MINISTER

Respected fellow citizens of the State and the Country
On the auspicious occasion of the 65th Independence Day of the nation, I convey my good wishes and felicitation to my beloved people of Sikkim and to the rest of my countrymen. Year after year, we can see India facing some formidable challenges while promoting the interest of the Nation. Security and sovereignty of the nation is as usual exposed to the nefarious design of anti-national elements. We are provoked regularly through terrorist attack, cross border skirmishes and creating internal feuds by various elements. However, the people of the Country have always faced these challenges with grit determination.
The whole world is reeling under economic downturn with even America going for the unattractive choices to come out of debt trap. Crude oil price is skyrocketing sending negative impact on our market. However, India truly empowered and inspired by the ideals of freedom and independence have been successful to absorb anxiety as expressly evident in our economy finding strength in our demography, our resources with India’s sheer scale acting as equalizer to promote national cause. On this great occasion, I salute our leaders and freedom fighters for sacrificing their blood, toil, tears and sweat to hand over freedom to us on August 15, 1947.
Sikkim as the grand partner in democratic entity of the Country has made significant contribution over the decades towards bringing deeper national integration, friendlier cross-border camaraderie and promoting the best example of peace and security in the region.
The Country itself aims to make a quick and visible reduction in poverty, unemployment and take care of the regional imbalances. The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has noted that by the end of the 11th Plan the Country’s GDP growth would be 8.2 percent- a commendable achievement for a plan period which saw severe drought and global economic slowdown. The Prime Minister also highlighted that the country has made important progress towards the goal of greater inclusiveness. He mentioned that enrolment rates have increased and the dropout rates have fallen and that the gender gaps are being reduced.
At the backdrop of and in relation to issues raised by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the State Government in Sikkim is firmly geared to promote the vision as spelt out at the national level. All the ongoing programs at institution building and injecting new and innovative ideas into our development planning will promote Sikkim as a model of fiscal statesmanship and socio-cultural eminence.
In fact, we have worked out a comprehensive vision statements to fully harness our competitive advantages driving the economy of the State and the region to a new high. All sectors identified and stakeholder involved in carrying out these missions have been asked to go about in a mission mode and the Government is closely monitoring and evaluating the outcomes so as to ensure that the goals set are achieved within the stipulated time.
Strategies that Sikkim has followed in terms of comprehensive development are being appreciated at the national level and we are recognized as the path finder with regard to promoting concept of organic farming and capacity building program among our youths etc.
Education continues to remain our priority sector. Launching of the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Scholarship Programme has been 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 increase the intake to 200 numbers in the year 2012-13 and double the number every subsequent years to sponsor at least 1000 students annually under the program.
It has been our endeavor to impart quality education to our children by upgrading pool of untrained teachers into trained teachers within a time frame at all levels in a phased manner. Recruitment of well educated and trained teachers to teach science and mathematics subjects is being emphasized. The objective is for 100 percent enrollment and zero drop outs of children at the elementary level and 100 percent completion of teachers training for the primary and graduate teachers. The other important objective is to improve the literacy rate from 85 percent to 95 percent by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan.
We aim to provide quality health care which is responsive to the needs of the people. During the 12th Five Year Plan period, it is our aim to take delivery of quality health care to all the people of the State. The Sikkim Healthy Mission, 2015 is to improve the health of the people and to reduce premature mortality. Towards these objectives, my Government has taken up the CATCH programme and also the capacity enhancement of doctors, nurses etc in order to create the required number of skilled and trained man power in order to deliver quality health care for all.
We intend to bridge the urban rural divide by creating the necessary facilities in the villages as far as possible, so that the youth are encouraged to stay back and be productive in their respective villages. We have 27 Block Administrative Centers that function as support office for a cluster of gram panchayats. All BACs are fully operational in the State. One more BAC is being established at Martam in West Sikkim for providing similar facilities at the grass root level.
Housing for all is the goal of my Government. In spite of the ongoing Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana, many houses in rural areas still remain kutcha leading us to introduce a new initiative launched is the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission in which kutcha houses are being converted into pucca houses. This scheme is being implemented in convergence with the State plan, the Indira Awaas Yojana and MGNREGA and we plan to cover 6000 households under this program by the end of this fiscal year. We will continue to pursue this ambitious program until our goal to transform all kutcha house into pucca habitation by the year 2013 is fully met.
Hospitality and tourism industry has enormous employment potential. Eco-tourism, village tourism, home stay tourism, pilgrimage tourism, culture tourism and adventure tourism has ample scope in the State. We have many other clean industrial units in Sikkim including different pharma units and hydro-power projects to boost our economic condition when they are all commissioned and functional.
Respected citizens,
The history of Industrial Revolution in the world goes as far back as 200 years whereas in Sikkim serious initiative at industrialization happened only during the last ten years. Based on the strength of immense natural resources that we host, we have set about promotion of natural resource based industrial venture in Sikkim. If we were to gauge the extent of industrial presence in Sikkim as development model, we are only ten years old. Therefore, I always call upon my fellow Sikkimese to view industrialization and tourism as harbinger of greater and long run economic fortune for the Sikkimese people.
My Government has a clear cut strategy for accelerating growth in agriculture by increasing crop intensity and cultivation of short duration crops. Traditionally, our farming practices were organic in content till the introduction of modern technological inputs towards the early 1980s. Therefore, concept of organic farming is readily acceptable in the State.
Progress under horticulture and floriculture is quite commendable. Together with the unprecedented growth of off season vegetables and creation of other incentives like post-harvest and marketing facilities, support for mass scale re-plantation and rejuvenation of orange and large cardamom has been strengthened to benefit our farming community.
We have introduced large number of incentives under the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. On a very conservative estimate, we are importing over 1,70,000 cattle annually into Sikkim to fulfil domestic market for meat supply. This process we seek to revert and attain self sufficiency in meat supply by 2015.
Fellow citizens
The world is moving towards re-organization in terms of socio-political context and the wishes of majority people prevailed upon the diktats of the few individuals. Amidst the new situations obtaining world wide and widespread democratic aspirations, Sikkim as the constituent State of India presents a unique case of successful functional democracy where the people are widely hailed as the fountain head of all power and the Government, by its own submission, as the first servant of people.
In order to reinforce our faith on practical democracy and address the needs and requirement of the people at the grass root level, we undertook village-to-village tour across the State. This tour was unique and first of its kind in the State and probably in the Country and world. Because the team comprised of the entire Cabinet Ministers, all MLAs, all Heads of Department headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (now elevated to the post of Chief Secretary). That means, it was a unique scenario wherein the whole Government and its machinery moved out of the capital to reach out to every single village, listen to the grievances of people and take collective decision on the spot to address their problems.
My fellow Sikkimese
Based on ground realities, and going through every nook and corners of the State, we discovered that there are scopes for improvement vis-a-vis our performance, right the wrongs caused due to various reasons and above all fix responsibility upon the erring individual who has taken things for granted. Duly blessed and empowered by the power of the people, we took many on-the-spot policy decisions which will go down into the pages of history as the indelible event in the political history of Sikkim for all time to come.
I take this solemn occasion to share many of the decisions taken by the State Government as a democratic institution to promote the well being of citizens.
•    I announce introduction of Science Stream and Commerce Stream in all Senior Secondary Schools located at far-flung areas, so that greater options are available for students to choose the subjects of their interest.
•    Degree College established in Geyzing - the red letter day in Sikkim’s educational journey
•    Evaluation of Teachers’ Performance will be introduced in schools to help teachers improve their professional skills
•    Yoga and Meditation classes to be organized in all schools.
•    Introduction of one time maternity allowance of Rs. 3700 to lactating mothers at the time of delivery and Rs. 500 per month in the name of first new born child for a period of 6 years as Nutrition Allowance.
•    1000 bedded hospital to be completed within 12th Five Year Plan
•    I announce promotion of village tourism in a more comprehensive manner which would be based on Sikkimese culture and tradition, based on natural resources, Agriculture and Horticulture based to propagate organic tourism nationally.
•    I announce promotion of animal husbandry and fisheries as viable industry in the State with particular emphasis on engaging our educated youths with proposal to attain self sufficiency in the sector in the State within 2015.
•    Promote Agriculture and Horticulture activities as an industry and promote cultivation of altitude-specific cash crops across the State like orange, banana, pear, papaya, sajana, peas, large and small cardamom, cherry pepper, potato, tea including off season vegetable and flower
•    VLO, VLW & Stockman Centres to be established wherever necessary
•    Construction of additional 2 rooms to rural households for undertaking home stay tourism for serious stakeholders
•    Construction of Ropeway in the Phamrong Falls complex approved
•    I announce construction of proposed Skywalk at Bhaleydhunga and expedite all related processes to commence work at the earliest
•    Establishment of another pilgrimage centre as ‘Ramayan Busty’ proposed to be set up at Tumin Barang to be expedited. All processes for acquiring the proposed land measuring 15 acres to be completed within August 2011 for starting construction work urgently.
•    Develop new tourism circuit to cover Changu-Nathula via Kupup, Gnathang, Zaluk, Phadamchey, Lingtam, Dalapchan, Rongli, Rhenock etc.
•    Development of Hangu lake at Sherathang for tourism purpose, with boating facilities etc.
•    I am also pleased to announce installation of Bhanu Salig at Sang bazar.
•    Uniforms to be provided to ICDS children with immediate effect
•    Scholarship provided under the Social Welfare Department may be given on merit basis
•    Four standing trees may be used by people annually from private holdings as against 2 allowed so far, for bona fide use
•    I propose regularization of all Tangeydar habitation at Upper Rayong, Rangpo, Naya Bazar, Majhitar Compound Area and other similar cases in the State
•    Compensation and rehabilitation to be ensured for linesmen under Power & Energy Department rendered disabled in the State
•    To issue Trade Licence to persons with Sikkim Subject Certificate by Panchayats in rural areas; insist on other documents only at the time of renewal;
•    To issue Trade Licence to person with Sikkim Subject Certificate holders in the notified bazaar by the Municipality.
•    Labdang to be developed as eco-city zone with construction of traditional marketing centre- with office building, cultural centre, parks & garden, parking, approach road, foot path etc.
•    To standardize public conveyance like the basic technical standardization of taxis and buses, colors etc.
•    All government building in green color
•    Total upgradation and beautification of all bazaars in Sikkim within the 12th Five Year Plan with integrated modern facilities including parking plaza and open theatre etc.
•    I am also pleased to announce development of Chandmari-Decheling Road into Food Street for general people and for the visiting tourists. The proposal approved for taking up upgradation, beautification, extension etc. of all the road stretch for developing the area.
•    Only clean industries to be preferred as part of government policy
•    Natural resources, agro-organic based industries to be preferred as priority
•    Vehicle tax may be reduced by 1 % (from the existing rate) on purchase of car/vehicle costing less than 5 lakhs
•    Food godown, wherever, necessary should be constructed.
•    Comprehensive survey under the Socio-economic and Caste Census to be undertaken for identification of genuine BPL households in Sikkim. Rural Management and Development Department is made the nodal department.
•    Namchi, Geyzing, Mangan will have state-of-art stadium with good pavilion and all other sub-divisional towns also will have similar facilities.
•    Sports Academy in each district and sports Hostel in each district under Football, Archery and Taekwondo discipline to be established.
•    Organize Inter-School Competition at the GPU level for promotion of sports and other allied activities.
•    Government Printing Press should be technically upgraded for undertaking all printing works- generating additional employment.
•    LD Kazi Memorial Bhawan to be constructed at Chakung.
•    To submit project estimate for construction of Shakti Sthal at Tamley Tar, Sumbuk within 100 days.
•    Yoga and Meditation classes to be organized for all police personnel
•    Unemployed Loan to the extent of 10 lakhs to be provided for suitable projects
•    Felicitation program to honour social workers, literary figures, accomplished sportspersons, bureaucrats and persons with distinct achievements would be organized by the State Government in September 2011.
•    To evolve uniform daily rate for hiring road construction equipments like tipper & dozer, so that interest of marginal contractors and Construction Cooperative Societies could be safeguarded.
•    To enhance maximum ceiling of construction work to be undertaken by Construction Cooperative Societies from existing Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores.
•    Opening of Branch Office of State Bank of Sikkim at Sang and Makha 10th Mile.
•    Relevant policy decision to be evolved for naming of roads after the martyrs and providing employment to the next of kin of the deceased.
•    Grants of Rs. 20 lakhs to film makers only on documentary or feature films based on Sikkim and exclusively shot in the Sikkimese landscape. Script to be submitted to IPR for approval of State Government before such claims are made.
•    Vaccination to control cases of cervical cancer among girls to be introduced for girl child.
•    Enchancement of Old Age Pension grants from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1000 per month for citizens above 80 years of age. Senior citizens below 80 years will continue to get OAP at the rate of Rs. 600 per month. And Eligibility age for OAP grant reduced to 60 years.
•    Impose ban on sale of liquor to persons less than 18 years in hotels and restaurants.
•    To compulsorily hold Gram Sabha before commencement of any construction work or after the tendering process is fully completed so that respective department officials could explain such schemes for the general information of the public as the real beneficiaries.
•    I announce establishment of Market in Assam Lingzey.
•    All private companies and individuals to secure government permission before changing name or coining new name for places in Sikkim so that historical context attributed to certain places or the socio-cultural characteristic of the State is not diluted or not lost or overlooked.
•    To undertake comprehensive training programs to make all our labourers skilful and trained
•    Having completed building of all infrastructural needs, we will next concentrate on quality development as our next priority. 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.
Respected fellow Sikkimese
These are some of the important announcements made during the three-district tour undertaken by me and my team recently. And these policy decisions have been based on the felt needs expressed by people and aimed at plugging some irregularities discovered during the tour period. We would next go visiting North District soon with usual composition of team and the same energy and commitment. While we undertake the next tour, we will make further announcements as and when appropriate.
Fellow citizens
Sikkim occupies a very crucial place and can play a very important role towards regional integration, social harmony and promoting socio-cultural ties and trade linkages within the NE region and by extension into the South Asian region. After our initiative in 2006 to open border trade with China through Nathula pass, there have been active efforts to open up border for trade along Bangladesh and Myanmar border with the North East region. This augurs well for reviving traditional economic dynamism in the region to reverse the strange truth that just 5 percent of South Asia’s trade is within the region.
A new thinking in regional reorientation has to come to harness the immense potential in intra-regional and cross-border trade. We can tap the region-wide energy market through tapping our huge hydro-power potential in the North East. In Sikkim alone, we are hoping to harness more than half of the identified total 8000 MW of hydel potential within the next 3-4 years. It is our aim to achieve installed capacity of 5500 MW by the end of 12th Five Year Plan. We endeavor to have an efficient power evacuation and transmission system in place and ensuring self sufficiency in energy and power. We hope to earn substantial revenue from the power sector in due course of time amounting to the region of 1500 crores annually once all projects are commissioned.
As we move on to the 12th Five Year Plan, our aim is to consolidate what we have built over the years and the achievements made thus far. As we embark on to the 12th Five Year Plan, I am happy to note that the Government of India is holding regional consultations before drawing the parameters that will guide formulation of the approach to the 12th Five Year Plan. The Government of India initiative to sensitize the State Governments before drawing up the 12th Plan based on ground realities and outcomes is well appreciated.
Respected fellow citizens
Fully convinced about the rationality of our short-term and long-term development programs, the Planning Commission during the last meeting has specifically invited my suggestions and advice towards finalization of the 12th Five Year Plan document. Lauding our many initiatives as regionally and nationally relevant, the august body at the centre has requested to send our inputs. Therefore, we are going to recommend our unique programs including the CATCH program, Organic State program, Kutcha House Free State program to be incorporated in the 12th Plan Document for the entire country. As we saw our capacity building program built into national program, we can continue to work for the State and the country regardless of our drawback and constraints.
It is the endeavor of my Government to involve the civil society, the Panchayats and all stakeholders while finalizing the 12th Five Year Plan of the State. We aim to work out a long term programme to be incorporated in the 12th Five Year Plan document. This is to be achieved by adhering to the guidelines and policies of the Govt. of India, while at the same time our own needs and priorities will also be incorporated in the formulation of the 12th Five Year Plan. With the blessing of people of Sikkim, I am sure, we will continue to serve the national cause as usual and as always.
Fellow citizens
Our freedom is long enough and our independence has built our confidence to achieve the highest goals. However, in the length and breadth of this huge Nation, we can still feel the pangs of poverty, illiteracy, social exploitation in many parts of the Country and with many of our fellow Indians. Nationally, we still grapple with many social diseases.
Sikkim is a happy exception, though. We have been fully successful to provide basic minimum needs to people and provide all modern infrastructures in the State. We have created wide range of economic opportunity in diverse sectors to work on. Based on the implied meaning of independence, I would say that now onwards all things rest with the people. The Sikkimese youths should be responsible and be able to utilize all the existing opportunities for their well being.
Freedom means social equality, economic freedom and ability to acquire mental and physical balance, take full advantage under education and live a healthy life. Independence also implies enhancement of individual capacity to harness diverse opportunities. Freedom without all these attributes is hollow. That means, at the national context we still need yet another holy crusade, that second generation struggle to bring about yet another independence and freedom in the holistic sense of the terms.
In Sikkim, we must revive the traditional sense of self-respect by duly restoring the dignity of labour. This I find the greatest challenge facing us today. We have range of economic opportunities for our people also outside the government sector. The State Government has introduced a wide spectrum of capacity building programs for our youths which are being monitored through the Institute and Directorate of Capacity Building. We also have one Livelihood School in each Constituency to impart training of basic trade and vocation. In addition, the State Government also sponsors professional training for our youths outside the State and outside the Country. I would call upon the young generation Sikkimese to take full advantage of the existing facilities and that the destiny of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people must be shaped through our collective effort and collective contribution.
Respected fellow citizens
While the world still continue to grapple with existential dilemma and identity crisis being faced by various tribes the world over in Sikkim we do not face any of such crisis as the State Government itself is promoting the overall interest of all the communities living in Sikkim. The Sikkimese as a community is fully established as the distinct and distinguished tribal conglomerate, recognized all over the country and also outside the country. Now in Sikkim no Sikkimese would lag behind or excel due to the accident of birth or any other circumstantial factor. I also call upon all my fellow Sikkimese to compete or cooperate equally on the strength of your knowledge and your wisdom to carve out a healthy path for the future.
Fellow citizens
There is so much of the positive energy radiating through the many innovative programs initiated by the State Government. Under different programs including organic state, eco-tourism, horticulture and floriculture etc. we can see the promised land so closer- a sort of utopia, the ultimate shangrila that Sikkim could be transformed into. In terms of physical requirement, we are moving ahead for the ultimate fulfilment. For example, among the hundreds of public demands received during the last tour covering three districts, we have taken policy decision to fulfil all of them on phased manner. Under Phase one, we have decided to sanction:
(i)     all community bhawans in the rural areas
(ii)     all community playgrounds in the rural areas
(iii)    all crematorium sheds
(iv)    all Kisan Bazars
(v)     all Gram Prasashan Kendras
(vi)    all Block Administrative Centres
(vii)    all MPCS Buildings in the State
(viii)    all school auditoriums
(ix)    all school playground
(x)     all toilets
(xi)    all School Buildings
(xii)    80% of road carpeting
(xiii)    80% of drinking water schemes
(xiv)    All water and roof water harvesting demands
(xv)    Cover all demands under home stay and village tourism
(xvi)    Cover all demands under Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
(xvii)    Ensure 100 percent coverage of all left-out villages and quality improvement under Power and Energy Department
(xviii)    all Minor Irrigation Channels
(xix)    beautification and upgradation of all bazaars

On this happy note, I am confident that my fellow Sikkimese will join hands in making Sikkim a heaven on earth and a model State in the Country. The Government cannot do everything on its own and the responsibilities also lies with you to make Sikkim the most happy and prosperous State in the Country.
All the democratic institutions like the Executive, Legislative, Judiciary and the Fourth Estate are meant to serve the larger interest of the people and the Nation at large. We are all servants to give service to the people and Nation. All these institutions should be utilized for common good and not misused for some sectarian purpose or individual interest. All of us should be responsible including the Indian citizens so that the various provisions available could be properly used for greater well being as part of the democratic dividend. However, it pains me to recount how in many cases, the democratic provisions are being misused by some vested interest groups.
Respected Sikkimese citizens
Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, “Be the change you want to see”. Relying on his statement and fully empowered by the democratic tradition, I call upon the young generation Sikkimese to change your mindset, open up to greater horizon and harness all the opportunities knocking at your doors- both within the State and outside. And I would like to submit that change also implies restraint and therefore, 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 of 5-10 years and fines for anyone serving liquor to children less than 18 years of age in hotels and restaurants or persons trading on drugs in the State.
As we celebrate our independence, let us vow to walk the tough way to protect our society and our generation of people who could and who must live a dignified and healthy life in Sikkim or elsewhere.
Working as the Head of the Government for the last seventeen years, I have always honoured the democratic principle to uphold the interest of Sikkimese people uppermost in my mind. Bearing true allegiance to our founding document and humbled by the responsibility so bestowed by my beloved people of Sikkim all these years, I would continue to function as a free man thus honored and never betray, as the first servant, the faith and confidence of the people of Sikkim and my great Country, India.
Congratulating all my fellow Sikkimese once again on this auspicious occasion, I send my warm greetings to all of you and best wishes for a happy and prosperous life ahead.
Jai Hind
Jai Sikkim

[recvd from Department of Information & Public Relations]