During his meeting with the Home Minister, the Chief Minister congratulated the Union Minister for assuming the charge of Union Home Ministry and expressed his confidence that under his stewardship, people of India will have an increased sense of security and that the integrity and sovereignty of the nation would be further cemented for the benefit of all citizens.
Talking about the socio-political and economic rights of the people of Sikkim, the Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that there are some issues which are still pending with the Government of India. In the connection, the Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s persistent demand for providing early reservation of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the Limboo and Tamang communities and granting permission to 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje to take seat at Rumtek Monastery. The Chief Minister also placed the State Government’s demand for inclusion of left out ethnic Sikkimese Nepali communities in the list of Schedule Tribe. The Union Home Minister gave a patient hearing to the demands placed by the Chief Minister. On the matter of His Holiness Karmapa, the Union Minister assured to consider the matter positively to allow His Holiness to take seat at Rumtek Monastery at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also called on Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and apprised him about fiscal position of the State. Sikkim has recorded one of the highest growth rates in the country and the State is making all efforts possible to develop the State, the Chief Minister said. During his interaction, the Chief Minister also handed over a Memorandum to the Union Minister requesting him to grant income tax exemption to the left out communities including the business community living in Sikkim.
The Chief Minister also called on the Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. While congratulating the Union Minister for assuming the charge of central ministry, the Chief Minister held a detailed discussion about road sector in Sikkim and the role of Border Roads Organization and all other agencies responsible for with construction and upkeep of the border roads and other state and national highways.
Among others, the Chief Minister reiterated the requirement of construction of alternative national highway for the State of Sikkim, re-strengthening of existing national highway.
The Chief Minister also proposed construction of strategically important roads to connect different locations in the State including double laning, blacktopping, upgradation, geometric improvement and replacement of old existing bridges and landscaping of road stretches.
The Chief Minister also placed demand for construction of new roads under Tourism Purpose Roads with special features like ropeways, cable cars, resort and snow sports. Under Road Infrastructure Development, the Chief Minister proposed construction of infrastructure involving construction of improved administration offices, quality control laboratories, a very strong Mechanical wing, strengthening of all administration and establishment in the district including the head quarter in Gangtok.
The Chief Minister requested for a special dispensation of over Rs. 7,500 crore in a phased manner for construction work under the Holistic Road Network Development Programme. The Union Minister held a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister with all the Secretaries and officials looking after the road sector and assured full support to the demands and proposals submitted by the State Government.
The Chief Minister also called on the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan. The Chief Minister congratulated the Union Minister for assuming the charge of Union Ministry and held a long discussion on the development of State and the priority sectors in the State. The Chief Minister renewed his commitment towards development of the State and the North East region contributing towards the nation building process. The Union Minister applauded the effort of the State Government in organic farming, tourism and floriculture sector.
The Chief Minister also called on the Union Water Resources Minister, Uma Bharati and congratulated her on assuming the charge of Union Ministry. The Chief Minister had a long discussion on the issue of water security in the State. The Union Minister enquired about the natural features of the State, the flora and fauna and the river lifeline of Teesta and Rangeet.
She evinced keen interest to visit Sikkim and see the Sikkim Himalayas which has the highest peak in the country, the river tributaries and the natural beauty.
The Chief Minister also called on the Union Minister of State (IC) of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Parliamentary Affairs, Prakash Javadekar. The Chief Minister congratulated the Union Minister and wished him a very successful tenure as Union Minister of State. The Chief Minister placed a long pending demand of the State Government for inauguration of the Doordarshan Kendra at Gangtok and posting of requisite staff and other manpower. He requested for the personal intervention of the Union Minister to inaugurate and commence full operation of the Kendra to provide encouragement to local artists and also facilitate better understanding of the way of life, dreams and hopes and aspirations of the people of Sikkim. The Union Minister has assured to look to the matter for early action.
The Chief Minister extended invitation to all the Union Ministers to visit Sikkim which the Union Ministers have accepted. The Chief Minister was accompanied to all the meetings by the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi.
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