PRELIMINARY INTRODUCTION OF SIKKIM HDR PRESENTED Overview shared on expanding opportunities and promoting sustainability

GANGTOK, 28 Oct: The preliminary introduction of the Sikkim Human Development Report 2013, the second such initiative for the State and this time themed, “Expanding Opportunities Promoting Sustainability” was presented here at the Advisory Council Meet held at Manan Kendra on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling
A decade since the first HDR was prepared in the year 2001, the second HDR this time round has laid prime emphasis on second generation challenges related to the overall development of the state’s GDP (gross domestic product), the PCI (per capita income), health indicators etc unlike the first HDR that laid complete stress on income generation, health and poverty alleviation.
The second HDR is also a result of detailed study of the aspirations and needs of the people of Sikkim which was collected through the over 7,000 petitions received by the Chief Minister during his 42-day village-to-village tour of the state in 2011.
The HDR 2013 was prepared from the inputs and contributions from a wide range of stakeholders including citizens, NGOs, Panchayats, students, farmers, academics, government departments and business persons. It combines data and evidence sourced from GoI and other independent agencies with qualitative assessments to capture the many changes that have occurred in the lives of people. It tracks the development journey of the state since 2001 when the first HDR was published.
The programme which was attended by MP, Lok Sabha, PD Rai, Minister, RB Subba, Chief Secretary, Rinzing Ongmu, Development Commissioner, Nim Euthenpa, member of the National Advisory Council and the Advisor to UNICEF, A K Shiva Kumar, Planning Commission member, Kalawati Subba, Cabinet Ministers, HoDs, senior government officials, Panchayat members was organized by the Human Development Report Cell, Government of Sikkim.
It was also informed today that the conclusion of the first HDR for Sikkim had resulted in Sikkim becoming the first state in the North East to present such an exemplary report in the year 2001. It was also said that the report notes the effective way in which the state has been able to accelerate economic growth and simultaneously ensure improvements in the quality of life.
The report also states that Sikkim has amongst the lowest percentage of population below poverty line (8.17 percent) across all Indian States and that as per the Planning Commission, the number of poor people reduced by 70 percent between 2001 to 2012.
It was also mentioned that the government consciously stepped up investments in the social sectors particularly in health and education. Consequently there have been visible improvements in immunization coverage, institutional birth, nutritional status and sanitation. The sex ratio too has improved and inequalities based on caste, gender urban rural divide have been narrowed, the report states.
The report also points out that despite these gains in human development over the past decade there are certain areas which need renewed focus and attention, of particular importance is the need to fulfill the growing aspirations of young people. Amongst the specific areas that require special attention in the coming years are quality of education, improvement in infrastructure, mobile and internet connectivity, expanding livelihood opportunities in the agriculture sector and creating more jobs for the youth.
The Chief Minister in his address highlighted the achievements over the last decade and the challenges for the future. He also urged all the participants, Panchayats and Urban Local bodies to make all the 176 Gram Panchayats Units and the 7 Urban Local Bodies, poverty free, unemployment free, fully educated, healthy and happy. “This should be the ultimate goal of human development in the coming years,” he stated.
In his address Professor A.K Shiva Kumar who has been instrumental in the preparation of the Sikkim HDR was all praise for the Sikkim government and the development works and achievements the state has achieved under the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling.
While expressing his happiness at the report being prepared by the people of Sikkim for the people of Sikkim he further commended the high standards and quality that had gone into the preparation of the same.
“True leadership qualities of the Chief Minister and his efficient governance highlight that in Sikkim the government is actually the servant of the people.  The progressive government in Sikkim has always put people and their interest first which has benefitted people’s lives here. What we have seen in Sikkim is exemplary since human development is going hand in hand with infrastructural development,” stated Professor, AK Shiva Kumar who was speaking on the theme, ‘Lessons from Sikkim.’
The meet was also addressed by Joint Secretary, Sarika Pradhan and Deputy Secretary Jigme Basi respectively. The officers presented an overview of Sikkim Human Development Report and the process followed for the preparation of the report.