Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling attends National Development Council Meeting
CM proposes setting up of Centre for Seismic Studies in Sikkim; recommends CATCH and organic state concepts into the 12th FYP document for the Country; commits Sikkim’s contribution through hydropower towards fulfilling national goal of energy security

New Delhi, October 22, 2011: The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling today took part in the meeting of National Development Council being chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh here at Vigyan Bhawan . The Prime Minister while addressing the august body said that the pace of development in the industrial countries is slowing down whereas the Asian economy is growing impressively. As the world is changing globally, India is expected to play a more dominant role, the Prime Minister said.

While acknowledging that this is the second consecutive five year plan, being made under the able guidance and leadership of Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling endorsed the growth projections envisaged by the Planning Commission and the development strategies, adopted for growth in agriculture, rural development, energy, transport, health, education and skill development, science & technology, tourism, hospitality, building of economic infrastructure and good governance.

The Chief Minister emphasized on the urgent need to provide more physical, socio-economic development and creation of more infrastructure in the North East Region in general, and Sikkim in particular during the 12th Plan period. In Sikkim, we have small sized villages, which are scattered throughout the State, therefore the cost of providing physical and social infrastructure like roads and electricity etc. is very high, said the Chief Minister. Shri Chamling also reiterated the problem being faced by Sikkim due to its landlockedness and locational disadvantage, making endeavour all the more difficult. Besides, due to long spell of monsoon during Summer and freezing cold during Winter, our working hour dedicated to development works is severely curtailed, he further added.

Saying that the power sector is of vital importance to the State of Sikkim, Shri Chamling said that the State Government through hydropower generation shall endeavour to contribute towards the national program of the Central Government to achieve energy security and self-sufficiency in power.

Emphasizing on the need for infrastructure building and connectivity for the region of the North East states, the Chief Minister reiterated early commencement and completion of alternative route to Siliguri via Chalsa in West Bengal, as part of the strategic border road. The Chief Minister also made suggestion for use of channels while constructing roads in mountain regions. make use of tunnels. Given the fragile landmass in the mountain states, this will minimize environmental impact over ground and also reduce time taken for travelling to different destinations

The Chief Minister lauded the Planning Commission for forming the working group on mountains, which the Chief Minister said would institutionalise more holistic and appropriate developmental planning.

Informing the august body, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has launched the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual & Total Checkup for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH) campaign under Health Sector and suggested the august body for incorporating it in the 12th Plan Document for the Country. “I may also recommend that the whole of North East region be declared as organic region with comprehensive time-bound support coverage, from the Central Government”, said the Chief Minister further.

Referring to the recent earthquake in Sikkim, the Chief Minister apprised the august body that the State Government has launched rebuilding efforts and sought of Central Government, the Geological Survey of India and all related institutions across the country and he further demanded that the Centre consider setting up of, Centre for Seismic Studies in Sikkim for the Himalayan and the North Eastern region.

The Chief Minister said that owing to the devastating earthquake, development tempo in Sikkim has been pushed back by 5-7 years and requested the Central Government to consider for a Special Central Assistance during the 12th Five Year Plan period.

Besides all the supports, the Chief Minister also sought help and assistance of Government of India for the involvement of multi-lateral funding agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for providing financial assistance to the earthquake devastated State, so that the world’s best expertise can be made available to Sikkim. I, therefore, seek the help and assistance from this August Council to facilitate this.

The Chief Minister said that Sikkim would like to be in the forefront of the national campaign for adequate livelihoods and good governance in a high growth regime.

The Chief Minister thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Home Minister and all other central leaders for their recent visit to Sikkim and for their support. The Chief Minister also thanked the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland for the support and assistance extended to the State Government of Sikkim during the recent crisis.

On behalf of the people of Sikkim, the Chief Minister also thanked the Armed Forces and the Paramilitary Forces for conducting the rescue operation and extending their humanitarian effort, on all the rehabilitation process. (Complete text of CM’s Speech attached separately for reference)

Earlier on the Union Home Minister and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and also addressed the gathering. The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha Shri PD Rai, Chief Secretary Shri Karma Gyatso, Additional Chief Secretary, Smt. R. Ongmu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri RS Basnet, Principal Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, Shri Arvind Kumar and other Government Officials from the State Government.

See the Speech of HCM on this occasion