CM calls on Finance Minister, follows up on pending demands

MUKHERJEE ASSURES TO HAVE FUNDS SANCTIONED FOR EARTHQUAKE REPAIRS RELEASED AT THE EARLIEST; CHAMLING REITERATES DEMAND FOR IT EXEMPTION FOR LEFT OUT COMMUNITY
GANGTOK, 15 Jan: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is currently camped in New Delhi, called on Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday evening. Officials inform that the meeting, which began at around 5 p.m. today, covered several important issues concerning Sikkim, especially demands still pending with the Centre and other issues requiring urgent attention, all of which received a patient hearing of the Finance Minister.
The Chief Minister followed up on the demand of the State Government to extend Income Tax exemption to the left-out community of Sikkim as well. A delegation representing the left out community had called on the Union Finance Minister on Saturday with the same request [read accompanying news report for details].
The CM also brought up the still pending release of funds already sanctioned by the Centre to assist earthquake repairs in Sikkim. As mentioned, this amount has already been announced and sanctioned by Delhi, but still not yet released. The Finance Minister, it is informed, assured to expedite this process and ensure that these funds are released at the earliest.
Of these funds, the Finance Minister informed that Rs. 227.17 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund has already been approved and that he would have it released immediately. Similarly, of the Rs. 1,000 crore earthquake relief package announced by the Prime Minister for Sikkim, Rs. 200 crore has already been approved and would now be released as soon as possible, the Finance Minister further assured.
Even the remaining Rs. 800 crore [from the package announced by the PM], will be released without delay immediately on receipt of Detailed Project Reports for its use, the Finance Minister is reported to have assured the CM.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also briefed the Union Minister on the deplorable condition of roads maintained by central agencies in Sikkim and updated him on the Rangchang Khola bridge collapse of December 2011 which claimed eight lives.
Mr. Mukerjee is reported to have assured the Chief Minister that he would take up the matter [of Sikkim roads] with the concerned authorities at the Border Roads Organisation and direct that repairs and improvement works are expedited and quality ensured by the BRO.
During the meeting, the Finance Minister is also reported to have expressed the desire to visit Sikkim in the very near future [ideally during the Flower Show here], an interest towards which the CM expressed gratitude and extended an open invitation.