CM RESUMES SIKKIM BHRAMAN

“Poverty Trap dismantled, now for the people to seize the day”
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 31 May: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling resumed his village-to-village Sikkim Bhraman with a tour of Ravangla sub-division in South Sikkim. In his interactions during halts at four villages today, the CM highlighted that in his 18 years in office, the State Government has created requisite infrastructure and opportunities to free Sikkim from the “poverty trap” which has held the Sikkimese people back for generations. To break free into self-reliance, the people will have to utilise the infrastructure and seize the opportunities created.
Limited access to credit, corrupt governance, capital flight, poor education systems, lack of public health care and poor infrastructure, factors which imposed the “poverty trap” as a “self-reinforcing mechanism which causes poverty to persist” have been corrected, he highlighted, while adding that is poverty still persists, it was at the personal level and because of individual failure to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities provided by the government.

The Chief Minister made his first halt at Lingyong JHS where people from the surrounding areas of Barfung constituency in South Sikkim had gathered to meet the CM who arrived there accompanied with an entourage of Ministers, MLAs and Heads of Departments led by the Additional Chief Secretry Karma Gyatso. The tour, it may be recalled, has been pegged as the “government reaching the doorsteps of the people”.
Mr Chamling moved among the people, interacting with them individually and enquiring after their grievances, aspirations and demands. He also enquired specifically whether the district and sub-divisional officials were performing their duties sincerely in the area.
On his way, he directed the concerned department to “immediately” complete the road to Lingyong JHS and release the compensation due to Pintso Lepcha, whose house has been endangered by the ongoing road project.
Addressing the people, the Chief Minister explained that the main intention behind his village-to-village tour was to check on the status of works being carried out and verify whether the benefits and opportunities envisioned, were being delivered.
He urged the people to take full benefit of his visit by placing their demands for sustainable development of the area and overall development of each individual.
“My government has created tremendous opportunities for the people and worked on economic reforms and developmental plans as recommended by the leading mind on poverty alleviation- the eminent economist, Amartya Sen,” he further stated.
He announced that all demands placed by the people of the area will be fulfilled immediately.
At his next destination, the Chief Minister interacted with the people of Rayong-Tinkitam Gram Panchayat Unit, where the people placed a number of demands. The demands included those for link roads, new roads and carpeting and up-gradation of existing roads, for which the Chief Minister directed that a survey be undertaken immediately.
“Roads bring development and demands for it will be taken up on priority basis. Sikkim is the only state to have roads reaching out to every corner,” the CM said.
He also directed the Forest Department to assist cooperative societies in the area by extending all possible support like providing environmental clearances for works undertaken by them on priority basis.
He also assured that land compensations for road projects and damages caused by them will be released soon by the government.
He further directed all the HoDs to ensure people-friendly work culture in their departments.
Earlier, on the way to Rayong-Tinkitam from Lingyong JHS, the Chief Minister visited the Sanganath School and directed HRDD officials to complete the construction of the additional school building within hundred days.
The Chief Minister, addressing the people at Tingmoo Secondary School said that some sections have been trying to mislead the people of the area on different issues. Instead of paying heed to “such people”, it is important to first evaluate the work and development carried out by the government in its 18 years in office, he said. He also assured that all the pending demands of the area will be fulfilled immediately.
The CM announced that the government will buy land to construct houses for the landless and urged the people of the area to support this effort. He also strictly directed the concerned authorities to provide LPG connections to the selected beneficiaries as soon as possible.
The people of the area sought support for development of village tourism in the area, establishment of a Kisan Bazaar, improvement of the drinking water supply system and road connectivity.
The first day of the second phase of the tour ended with the Chief Minister interacting with the people at Golitar in Rabongla.