SKM releases 49-point manifesto, announces 4 special packages

GANGTOK, 30 Mar: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha [SKM] released its election manifesto for the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha election in the state on Saturday. The manifesto was jointly released by the party advisor, PT Gyamtso, vice-president Phuchung Tshering Bhutia, spokesperson MN Dahal and other leaders of the party. The manifesto details 49 commitments and includes 4 special packages for the State in the event that SKM gets elected to power.

During the release function, SKM general secretary [press & publicity], Jacob Khaling assured that the party will work on all promises and issues covered in the manifesto if voted to power. The party is committed towards restoring all the “damage” the state has suffered so far, he added.

Mr. Khaling stated that the main focus of the manifesto is to strengthen the rural economy, provide equal opportunities in education and employment, infrastructure development, better quality roads across the state, etc.

The manifesto also covers issues like the protection of the Article 371F, to make Sikkim a Tribal State, protection of all political rights of the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, formulation of a Local Protection Act etc. SKM has promised to build a mini AIIMS in the state and to constitute the State Health Board and to provide an ambulance at each GPU.

For the youth, the manifesto offers the assurance of jobs to 30,000 unemployed youths within 100 days of the government formation. The party has also announced a State Education Board for primary, secondary and senior secondary schools and residential schools in all districts.

The party has also announced 4 special packages in the manifesto. These packages are a drinking water project for Namchi, Look North project, Care Dzongu and Protect Wildlife projects.

The drinking water project for Namchi is self-explanatory and the “look north project” undertakes to establish North Sikkim as an international tourism destination. “Care Dzongu” project assures to keep Dzongu free of outside interference and initiate development which works with the area’s heritage and culture.

The “Protect Wildlife Project” undertakes to open a “Wild Animals and Birds Breeding Centre” in West Sikkim. This centre, the manifesto adds, will have special cells dedicated to breeding Red Pandas and Shapis.