CM congratulates people, expresses satisfaction with achievements recorded thus far

SDF GOVT COMPLETE 17 YEARS IN OFFICE
GANGTOK, 12 Dec: The Sikkim Democratic Front Government completed 17 years in office today. Addressing a function held here at Chintan Bhawan to celebrate the government formation anniversary, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling shared his satisfaction with the scale and nature of development achieved in Sikkim under his watch over the past 17 years.
On the occasion, he also released an illustrative book published by the IPR Department on the 18 September Earthquake and a Report by the Labour Department on the activities of Capacity Building and Livelihood Schools.

“I am fully satisfied with the work that I have put in as a leader keeping in mind the thoughts, expectations and beliefs of the people of Sikkim. A lot of sacrifices, struggle and hard work went into the historic development that has taken place in the state over the past 17 years,” he said, while also congratulating the people on 17 years of seamless governance and peace.
“The work which has been done in the past 17 years cannot be ignored and history will testify to the results which the present government has undertaken and achieved so far,” he said.
However, he mentioned that a negative tendency still prevails among the people who want to believe that all this development has somehow taken place on its own. This attitude, he said, was unhealthy not only because it denies the government the credit it deserves, but also overlooks the amount of work that has gone in to make things possible.
Stressing that every individual has equal rights and responsibilities towards the State, he called on the people to people to remember the past, evaluate the present and prepare for the future. The people and the State, he remarked, have suffered often due to irresponsible politics, adding that this would not have happened if the people were more involved and informed themselves better.
While recounting the achievements of his government, the CM mentioned that when the government was formed on 12 December 1994, the state had no funds even to pay the salaries of government employees and loans had to be taken to meet this expense. The fiscal position of the State was much more robust now. To ensure this improvement, many visionary and hard decisions had to be taken and consistent follow-up ensured, he said.
A major achievement has also been the expansive decentralisation of power with the panchayats much more empowered and in control in Sikkim now.
In this regard, the CM directed officials not only to open offices and create infrastructure at the village level, but also to extend full services to the rural people with a human touch.
On the Panchayat elections coming up next year, the CM announced that the government was planning to hold these elections in April next.
“We have created infrastructure and abundant opportunities for the people of Sikkim and now the emphasis is on making every individual of Sikkim capable of taking full advantage of these opportunities and become self-reliant,” he said.
Comment on the 18 September Earthquake and the rebuilding works underway, the CM directed that all works should be completed on field and not only on paper.
“The main task ahead of us now is to work on the repair and rehabilitation process,” he highlighted.
Earlier, Development Commissioner, AK Yadav, presented a brief report on the achievements of the SDF Government in the last 17 years and a documentary film on the 42-day village-to-village tour of the CM was also screened by the IPR Department.
The function, which started with the welcome address by the Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso, was also addressed by the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Menlom Lepcha and concluded with the presentation of vote of thanks by the IPR Secretary, KS Topgay.
The function was also attended by the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, former CMs, BB Gooroong and SM Limboo along with the Ministers, MLAs, urban body members and government officials among others.