Shekhawat calls for service to needy people

Gangtok, Aug 19 (UNI) Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today called upon the Fourth estate to nurture and work together to strengthen the ''fifth pillar of democracy'' which constitutes over 26 crore people living below the poverty line and denied the basic amenities of life.

Laying the foundation stone of the Rs 12.29 crore earthquake resistant building at Raj Bhawan, Mr Shekhawat said '' I regard the people's welfare as the fifth pillar of democracy, if we do not ameliorate the plight of this fifth pillar, people's faith in democracy as an effective system to promote their welfare would be undermined.'' Mr Shekhawat said priority should be given to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, disease and streamline the administrative set up to ensure the benefits of all public programmes reached the poorest of the poor.

He said priority should also be given to root out corruption from the polity and to provide hassle-free governance to help each citizen enjoy his fundamental rights and live with dignity.

Mr Shekhawat urged the Sikkim government to follow the spirit of Antyodaya in implementing all its developmental programmes for all round sustainable growth and development.

Mr Shekhawat said Sikkim ''is on a high economic growth trajectory and has become an ideal and safe investment destination because of its excellent human resources, natural wealth, tourism potential and better law and order situation.'' But at the same time, he said, much more needed to be done to harness the development potential of the state.

The Vice President shared his concern with the people of the state over the inadequate road and air connectivity and said a land locked state like Sikkim needed to develop multiple means of transportation as dependable critical infrastructure development for its economic development.

He hoped the Centre would support the infrastructure development initiative of the state government.

Among others Governor V Rama Rao, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, his cabinet colleagues and a host of other dignitaries and officials were present at the foundation laying ceremony.

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