CM calls for renewed resolve to power speedy development

REPUBLIC DAY MESSAGE OF THE CHIEF MINISTER
GANGTOK, 25 Jan: Commenting that the development scenario in Sikkim today was “multi-faceted” and “based on equity and fair play, greater access and affordability”, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, in his Republic Day message to the people has invited all Sikkimese to “rededicate ourselves to the cause of continued peace and harmony”. “Let us renew and resolve to contribute our mite to the speedy development of Sikkim and the Country, as always,” he appeals.
Reiterating his commitment, the CM states, “Truly empowered by the law of the land and blessed by the power of the people, I once again commit myself to the great task of State and Nation building”.
“My fellow Sikkimese, although we conduct ourselves under certain political arrangement, I am not for short-term political gain. Since the time the Sikkimese people voted us to run their government, I have tried to see beyond political rivalry and complicity but more firmly glued to the idea of securing greatest happiness for all my fellow citizens for all time to come,” he assures.
On the developmental plans, he informs that “traditional bottlenecks including inadequate connectivity, socio-economic disparity, lack of infrastructure for various high end activities and institute building are being taken care of”.
Important elements in the social sector like education, health, poverty eradication, human resource development, agriculture and horticulture, animal care, women empowerment and child protection etc. have been adequately addressed, he highlights while adding that infrastructure development and expansion was progressing at a smart pace as well.
Congratulating the people on the progress and prosperity already achieved, the CM highlights that “Sikkim today stands tall as one of the most progressive States in the Country with the correct mix of traditional and modernity with the range of development strategy that is one of the best in the Country”.
Here, he also points out that when he took charge as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for a record fourth term in 2009, a clear commitment was made to upgrade the development strategies and ambitious Mission Statements with time bound commitment were spelled out. The 42-day village to village tour undertaken by him last year facilitated a more intimate interaction at the very personal level leading to some important announcements and initiatives, he shares while detailing the developmental targets and policy decisions taken immediately after.
The CM, in his R-Day address, also reminds people of the period between 1975 to the early 1990 which, he points out, “was fraught with political duplicity threatening to tear apart fledgling democracy taking deeper roots in the Sikkimese society”.
The formation of the Sikkim Democratic Front and the growing sagacity of Sikkimese people, brought about a course correction and salvaged democracy in Sikkim, he states, adding that this collaboration has made Sikkim a “happy exception” to the many parts of the country which are “continuously struggling against development deficit”.
“In addition to benchmarking of high development regime, we have also completed some very rare and major projects to further promote Sikkim as the major destination with their inbuilt spin off benefit accruing to large sections of Sikkimese people,” he adds.
“Over the decades, we have initiated many developmental measures to provide for a more congenial environment of growth and uplift the condition of the poor and the vulnerable,” he shares, while adding that this commitment continues to underline governance in Sikkim.