Chamling calls for targeted strategy for hill and mountain states

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said a more specific and targeted planning strategy should be drawn at the national level for the hill and mountain states for sustained national and regional development.

''There are severe constraints which are of specific nature to the hill and mountain regions for which a targeted planning strategy is required,'' he said while addressing the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council here to approve discuss the draft Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan.

He said there were serious constraints in infrastructure when it comes to his state, which was seriously hampering the overall growth.

''Our major tourism, health, horticulture, floriculture, industries and environment-related projects are held up on grounds of inadequate infrastructure,'' he said observing that Sikkim is yet to get an air and rail link.

He said the existing ceiling of 40 per cent on viability gap was ''totally inadequate'' and should be raised to 80 per cent especially in respect of the Northeasten states.

Mr Chamling said even from the viewpoint of the ''non-traditional security threats'' there was an urgent need for strengthening infrastructure in states which share over a 14300 km land border.

''They require very special treatment like our coastal borders and areas,'' he pointed out.

Expressing his gratitude for re-opening the Nathu la Trade route with China, Mr Chamling proposed to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state where many of the small and medium enterprises from India and abroad could be located.

''The starting of the railway line linking Lhasa with other major eastern cities of China adds an altogether a new dimension to the market access and investment opportunities,'' he observed.

Referring to the huge potential for producing hydel power in the state, the Sikkim Chief Minister said ''From our various ongoing and projects in the pipeline, we are likely to generate over 4000 MW of power by 2015. With this Sikkim will play a key role in contributing to the energy security in the country.'' He said the Approach Paper must take cognizance of our strategies and needs having adequate institutional capabilities in disposing of the generated power supplies both within and outside the country.

Expressing his concern over the retreating Zemu glacier, the largest glacier of Sikkim, Mr Chamling called for effective strategies to tackle the adverse impact of global warming.

A good portion of the Approach Paper should be devoted to Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) which has led to the hill and mountain regions confronting issues like patenting.

Mr Chamling called for training and technological inputs, market access, R and D and substantive investments to strengthen the sectors of horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants and eco-tourism.

He also called for removing constraints in forging public private partnership in education in the state.

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