CM announces establishment of new university dedicated to skill development programmes

ON PARTY’S SAMPOORNA KRANTI DIWAS, CHAMLING CALLS ON PARTY WORKERS TO REVOLUTIONIZE WORK ETHIC AMONG THE PEOPLE


ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 22 June: Sampoorna Kranti Diwas, marking the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s first public protest against the then SSP government in Sikkim, was observed today at the SDF party head office here at Indira Byepass with a special function chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who is also the SDF party president.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Chamling recalled that on 22 June 1993, the SDF party with a handful of supporters started a revolution to seek justice for the people of the state. “It was on this day that the SDF supporters drove away around 500 youth camped at the Alley ground at Namchi and lifted the pall of fear psychosis which had prevailed till then in Sikkim,” he said adding that the ‘camp’ was aimed at curbing democracy with intimidation in the State.
Also today, Mr. Chamling announced the establishment of an exclusive university dedicated to training and skill development courses for the youth of the State and equipping them with market-oriented employable skills in step with the times. A proposal for the establishment of such a university will be passed in the coming Assembly session itself, he announced.
Mr. Chamling also announced the installation of a statue of Thekong Mensolong in North Sikkim.
Informing that the Centre has cleared the construction of the Bhaley Dhunga Sky Walk project for which a sum of Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned as first installment, he assured that work on the project will begin at the earliest.
Speaking on seat reservation for Limboo and Tamang communities by virtue of their having been included in the Scheduled Tribes list, Mr. Chamling reiterated that efforts remained consistent to acquire the same and stressed that this reservation would be arranged in a way so as not to compromise the Bhutia-Lepcha seats in the Assembly. It was important for this message to go out because some sections were trying to misinform and create confusion on the issue, he said.
The SDF party president also delved at length on the idea of Kranti, and stressed that ‘revolution’ should be for the betterment of society. “Our per capita income is Rs 1 lakh and GDP growth is more than 9% which is higher than the country’s, this shows the development of the State,” he pointed out, while adding that calls for revolution should seek to further improve on this record and not regress Sikkim back by decades as some leaders were seeking to do.
Sectoral and infrastructural improvements achieved in the State need to now be capitalized on by the people, he said, urging party workers to work towards inspiring such engagement among the people.
This, unfortunately, was not happening, he suggested. Bringing up the trend of subletting of contracts by cooperative societies and contractors, he said that by taking the easy options and shirking hard work, people were wasting opportunities and impeding the pace of development itself.
On a day when the party reiterates its revolutionary ethos, SDF party workers should commit themselves toward revolutionizing work ethic in Sikkim and how people at large engage with policy interventions and deliver on their responsibilities towards Sikkim and the future, Mr. Chamling stressed.
Assuring that the unfulfilled dreams of party supporters who are no more will be fulfilled, the CM said that their families will be looked after and provided all support when necessary.
Earlier the welcome speech was given by a founder member of the party, SS Bakhim. The occasion was also addressed by Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa and Shanti Ghatani, also founder members of the party. Ministers from various departments, Speaker KT Gyaltsen, Chief Advisor BB Gooroong, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission Sanchaman Limboo, party members and the general public also attended the meeting.